New Delhi: With the top four-ranked teams lined up to lift the 2026 FIFA World Cup, legendary former German goalkeeper Oliver Kahn said that the semi-finals will depend on fine margins and midfield dominance rather than sustained offensive control.
While talking at the Zee 5 match analysis, the football expert said, “The team that controls the midfield without sacrificing its defensive structures will have the upper hand. Semi-finals are often decided by fine margins rather than sustained dominance.”
The main tactics lie in intelligence, Khan said, adding, “It is not about pressing constantly; it is about pressing intelligently. Whichever side controls the central areas and prevents the opposition from playing through the middle will control the game.”
For the 57-year-old former goalkeeper, France has the slight edge over other teams to lift the trophy.
“They (France) look the most complete side in terms of balance, depth and their ability to win games in different ways. But the margins between these four teams are extremely small, and any one of them is capable of lifting the World Cup,” Khan said.
‘Best teams stick to their plan’
France will face Spain in the first semi-final at the Dallas Stadium early Wednesday.
Kahn said that patience and balance can help Spain against the tournament favourites.
“Spain have to stay patient but purposeful. They need to move the ball quickly, create overloads and maintain strong defensive balance because France is one of the best teams in transition,” he said, adding that mentality will separate the final winner from other teams.
“The best teams stick to their game plan. They don’t panic, stay emotionally disciplined and continue making good decisions under pressure,” Kahn added.
He went on to talk about how goalkeepers can make a difference in modern-day football.
“Modern goalkeepers are effectively the first attackers as well as the last defenders. One good decision, or one mistake from a goalkeeper, can completely change the outcome,” Kahn said.
While France faces Spain, Argentina will lock horns with England in the second semi-final. Earlier, he had also spoken about the rivalry between Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo.
“Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have pushed each other for nearly two decades, and it’s truly extraordinary to see the level of soccer they continue to display. Their rivalry was never based on words, but on performances. Every season, they’ve pushed each other to be even better,” he said.
Soccer may never again see another rivalry with that level of consistency and excellence, Kahn added.
Also read: FIFA opens up possibility of a 64-team World Cup edition in 2030
Oliver Kahn and his achievements
Kahn, also known as “Der Titan” (The Titan) and “Volkahn” (Volcano) due to his aggressive playing style and fierce commanding presence on the pitch, is a legendary former German goalkeeper and sports analyst, widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers in the history of the sport. He has played 14 seasons for German giants Bayern Munich, winning eight Bundesliga titles and the 2001 UEFA Champions League.
He has earned 86 caps for the German national team, serving as captain for several years. and won the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player at the 2002 FIFA World Cup. He remains the only goalkeeper in history to win this award.
After he retired from professional football, Kahn served as the CEO of Bayern Munich from 2021 to May 2023. Later, he started working as a prominent football analyst, sharing insights during major tournaments like the 2026 FIFA World Cup.