USA’s Kenneth Faried has said that he is “disappointed” that his side will not be playing FIBA World Cup hosts Spain in Sunday’s championship game.

Faried also said that he wanted to beat Spain in their own country.

Instead the USA, who are now overwhelming favourites to retain their world crown will face either France or Serbia in Madrid.

“I’ve been trying to hold my tongue for this one,” Faried said. “I felt as though we came out and did our job, and y’all kept saying, ‘Oh, you’re not going to beat Spain.’ Spain couldn’t even beat France. When Spain can meet us at the championship game, then come talk to me.”

The other members of Team USA declined to share Faried’s sentiments but it’s clear to the squad that being asked question after question about losing key players like Kevin Love and Kevin Durant plus having the threat of potentially losing to a full-strength Spain squad, they wanted to say something.

Faried was the only one who couldn’t hold his tongue.

For Spain’s conquers, France, their head coach Vincent Collet quickly dismissed Faried’s quotes in their pre-game press conference before tonight’s semi-final with Serbia.

“That’s not a problem,” Collet said. “I’m sorry for him, but I hope that he will have to play against us [in the Final].”

Photo: FIBA