Semi-final 1 Match: France vs Spain Venue: Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the United States Date: Tuesday 14th July Kick-off time: 8
Semi-final 1
Match: France vs Spain
Venue: Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the United States
Date: Tuesday 14th July
Kick-off time: 8 PM
Referee: Iván Arcides Barton Cisneros
France and Spain collide in Dallas on Tuesday for the first World Cup 2026 semi-final, with a place in Sunday’s final at stake.
Didier Deschamps’ side are chasing a third straight appearance in the showpiece, a feat only matched by Germany and Brazil, while Luis de la Fuente’s European champions are seeking just their second-ever World Cup semi-final berth and first since lifting the trophy in South Africa in 2010.
France arrive in ominous form, having won all six matches so far and scored 16 goals without conceding once in the knockout rounds.
Kylian Mbappe leads the Golden Boot race with eight goals, level with Lionel Messi’s all-time World Cup tally, and is expected to start despite carrying a minor ankle issue from the quarter-final win over Morocco.
He is flanked by a potent attacking unit of Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola and the magnificent Michael Olise.
Spain, however, hold recent psychological bragging rights, having beaten France in each of their last two meetings — the Euro 2024 semi-final and last year’s Nations League final.
Their defence has been the standout feature of this tournament, conceding just once in six games, though their attack has occasionally lacked fluency.
Teenager Lamine Yamal, who has scored three goals in two career appearances against France, will again be the man Les Bleus fear most.
This will be only the second World Cup meeting between the sides, with France winning the first back in 2006.
Opta’s model gives France a narrow edge to win in regulation, though the tightness of their recent history suggests another close, tense contest awaits in Texas, with the winner set to face either Argentina or England in the final.
Possible starting XI
France (4-2-3-1)
Maignan (GK)
Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, Digne (DF)
Kone, Rabiot (DM)
Dembele, Olise, Barcola (AM)
Mbappe (ST)
Spain (4-2-3-1)
Simon (GK)
Poro, Laporte, Cubarsi, Cucurella (DF)
Rodri, Pedri (CM)
Baena, Olmo, Lamal (AM)
Oyarzabal (ST)
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