France vs Spain World Cup 2026 Semifinal: Preview, Prediction, Team News and Lineups

France vs Spain is the first FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinal, on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at Dallas Stadium, with kickoff at 3:00 PM ET (7:00 PM GMT).

It is a matchup of the two pre-tournament favorites, a rematch of the Euro 2024 semifinal, and it falls on Bastille Day, France’s national holiday.

France has won all six matches at this World Cup, beating Morocco 2-0 in the quarterfinals, and is chasing a third consecutive World Cup final, which only two nations have ever reached.

Spain, the reigning European champion, edged Belgium 2-1 and is in just its second World Cup semifinal, the first since winning the trophy in 2010. The winner faces England or Argentina in the final on Sunday, July 19.

France vs Spain Match Details

Match	France vs Spain, Semifinal 1
Date	Tuesday, July 14, 2026
Kickoff time	3:00 PM ET / 2:00 PM CT / 12:00 PM PT / 7:00 PM GMT / 8:00 PM BST
Venue	Dallas Stadium, Arlington, Texas
TV channel (USA)	FOX (English), Telemundo (Spanish)
TV channel (UK)	ITV1
Live stream	FOX One, FOX Sports app, Peacock (Spanish)

How France and Spain Reached the Semifinals

France is a perfect six wins from six. After topping its group and beating Sweden and Paraguay, Les Bleus dispatched Morocco 2-0 in the quarterfinal in Boston.

Kylian Mbappe missed a first-half penalty, then made amends with a superb curling finish on the hour, his eighth goal of the tournament and the 20th of his World Cup career, one behind Lionel Messi’s all-time mark among active players.

Six minutes later Mbappe set up Ousmane Dembele for his fifth of the tournament. Mbappe is now the only player with 10 or more direct goal involvements at two different World Cups.

Spain followed a tournament of total control with its first real test. After five straight clean sheets, La Roja conceded its first goal of the World Cup against Belgium but won 2-1 through Fabian Ruiz and Mikel Merino, who continued his habit of decisive knockout goals.

Spain’s record in major tournaments is remarkable: one defeat in its last 27 matches at major tournaments since 2018, unbeaten in the last 14. Luis de la Fuente’s side has conceded once in six matches at this World Cup.

France vs Spain Team News and Injuries

France: Mbappe was withdrawn in the second half against Morocco with a minor ankle sprain but is expected to recover and start. The big call is in midfield: French media report Didier Deschamps has decided to restore Aurelien Tchouameni to the XI after his recovery from a groin injury, with Manu Kone dropping to the bench despite his strong quarterfinal.

One watch point in defense: Dayot Upamecano and William Saliba both sat out Saturday’s training session with back issues, though both are expected to start. Desire Doue kept his place ahead of Bradley Barcola against Morocco and should start again.

Spain: No injuries are reported in the Spain camp. Pedri was a surprise omission from the starting XI against Belgium, and he and quarterfinal match-winner Mikel Merino both have strong claims on midfield spots, leaving Fabian Ruiz and Dani Olmo looking over their shoulders.

Nico Williams and Yeremy Pino are both fit again and pushing from the bench alongside Ferran Torres. Lamine Yamal, who has improved with every match since returning from injury in the group stage, added spice to the buildup by saying France should fear the European champions, comments Jules Kounde said he took as confidence rather than disrespect.

Predicted Lineups

France (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Kounde, Saliba, Upamecano, Digne; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Olise, Doue; Mbappe

Spain (4-2-3-1): Simon; Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Fabian Ruiz; Yamal, Olmo, Baena; Oyarzabal

Tactical Analysis: Where France vs Spain Will Be Decided

This is the tournament’s clearest clash of styles: Spain’s control against France’s transitions. Spain will dominate the ball, as it has all tournament, and pass through midfield with Rodri dictating tempo.

France is comfortable without possession, sitting deeper and springing Mbappe, Dembele and Michael Olise into space; Les Bleus lead the World Cup in direct attacks, and Mbappe and Dembele have created 19 chances for each other this tournament.

Tchouameni’s reported return stiffens the double pivot that must hold firm against Spain’s passing game. On the flanks, Mbappe against Yamal is the defining individual duel of this World Cup, two generational talents attacking opposite wings, with Lucas Digne handed the task Yamal dominated at Euro 2024.

History adds weight: Didier Deschamps, in his final tournament after 14 years, coaches his 26th World Cup match, breaking Helmut Schon’s all-time record, and France has won its last three World Cup semifinals without conceding a goal.

France vs Spain Head-to-Head and Euro 2024 Rematch

Recent history strongly favors Spain, which has won seven of the last 10 meetings. That includes the two most recent: a 2-1 win in the Euro 2024 semifinal, when Yamal’s famous long-range goal helped end France’s tournament on Spain’s way to the title, and a wild 5-4 win in the 2025 Nations League finals.

France’s last victory in the fixture was the 2021 Nations League final, won 2-1. Les Bleus’ stronger counterweight is World Cup history: the sides have met only once at this tournament, in the 2006 Round of 16, when France came from behind to win 3-1. France has also progressed from each of its last four World Cup semifinals.

France vs Spain Prediction

This is effectively a final played a round early, and the margins are tiny. Spain’s midfield superiority and tournament-long control make La Roja slightly the more complete side, but France’s ceiling in transition is higher than anything Spain has faced, and Mbappe is in the form of his international career.

With Tchouameni reportedly restored to stiffen the pivot and semifinal pedigree on France’s side, expect the tightest match of the tournament, decided by one moment of transition.

Prediction: France 2-1 Spain

France vs Spain FAQ

France vs Spain is the biggest match of the World Cup so far: the two best teams in the tournament, a Euro 2024 rematch, Mbappe against Yamal, and a Bastille Day semifinal in Deschamps’ record-breaking farewell.

Spain has the control and the recent head-to-head edge, but France’s perfect record, transition threat and semifinal pedigree tip the balance narrowly toward Les Bleus and a third straight final. Kickoff is 3:00 PM ET today, Tuesday, July 14 in Dallas.