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France vs Spain World Cup 2026 Semi-Final Preview: Key Insights and Lineups

The stage is set for a thrilling clash between France and Spain on July 14, 2026, at 15:00 EST (20:00 GMT) in Dallas. Both teams, European powerhouses, meet in the semi-final with a place in the final at stake. France chases a third straight final appearance after two previous wins, while Spain looks to break their semi-final drought since 2010.

Road to the Semi-Finals

France has been dominant, winning six matches in a row and finishing top of Group I. Their path included victories over Sweden, Paraguay, and Morocco, not conceding any goals during the knockout rounds. Despite a missed penalty by Kylian Mbappe against Morocco, France still secured a 2-0 win thanks to Mbappe’s goal and assist to Ousmane Dembele. Coach Didier Deschamps, managing his 26th World Cup match, aims to finish his campaign triumphantly.

Spain started slowly with a 0-0 draw against Cabo Verde but improved steadily. They beat Austria 3-0 and Portugal 1-0 to reach the quarter-finals, where they lost their first goal of the tournament but triumphed 2-1 over Belgium. This marks Spain’s second World Cup semi-final, the first since their 2010 victory.

Players to Watch

Mbappe holds 20 World Cup goals, just one shy of Lionel Messi’s record. The 27-year-old could equal or surpass this record before the Argentina vs England match. His focus remains on team success, but his scoring feats are impressive nonetheless.

Mikel Merino, the Arsenal midfielder, has made history as the first player to score stoppage-time winners in two knockout games as a substitute. He’ll try to influence the game again from the bench, especially since France’s substitutes have yet to score in the knockout phase.

Historical Context

Since the 2018 World Cup, Spain has lost only once in 27 major tournaments and remains unbeaten in their last 14 matches, keeping nine clean sheets. Under coach Luis de La Fuente, Spain has won seven of their last ten encounters with France, including a 2-1 win in the Euro 2024 semis and a thrilling 5-4 victory in the 2025 UEFA Nations League final.

Team News and Fitness

Didier Deschamps has not confirmed his lineup, with no official injuries reported. Mbappe's ankle injury raised concerns after he left the quarter-final early, but recent training suggests he is moving well and hopeful to play. Spain's squad looks fully fit, with no suspensions or injuries reported. Lamine Yamal is expected to be influential.

Statistics and Trivia

  • Eleven of France’s 16 goals in this World Cup came after halftime.
  • France leads all nations with an average of 7.8 shots on target per game.
  • Only four of Spain’s last 16 games had both teams scoring.
  • Lamine Yamal has scored three goals in two matches against France.
  • Spain has not lost in 90 minutes in their last 36 games since March 2024, with 26 wins and 10 draws, aiming to match Italy’s record of 37 unbeaten games.

Squads Overview

France’s 26-man roster features key players such as Maignan, Koundé, Upamecano, Digne, Konate, Rabiot, Tchouameni, Dembele, Olise, Mbappe, and Thuram.

Spain’s 26-man squad includes Simon, Porro, Laporte, Rodri, Pedri, Gavi, Merino, Yamal, Olmo, and Oyarzabal.

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