The France vs Spain 2026 FIFA World Cup semifinals have delivered one of the most mouth-watering clashes in recent tournament history. On Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, France will face Spain in a blockbuster semifinal. The winner will book a spot in the July 19 final in New York/New Jersey.
Both teams have looked formidable on their run to the last four. France has been the most dominant side of the tournament so far, while Spain has blended youth and technical quality to reach this stage. This promises to be a fascinating battle of experience versus flair.
France’s Les Bleus have dominated the FIFA World Cup 2026 tournament, winning all six of their matches. They breezed through the group stage with a perfect nine points, then cruised past Sweden 3–0, edged Paraguay 1–0, and earned a solid 2–0 win over Morocco in the quarterfinals.
Spain’s La Roja have made it to their first World Cup semifinal since their unforgettable 2010 title run. They booked their spot with a thrilling 2–1 win over Belgium in the quarterfinals, with super-sub Mikel Merino once again stepping up as the late-game hero for the second match in a row.
France vs Spain Match Info & Latest Team News
Match: France vs Spain – FIFA World Cup 2026 Semifinal
Date & Time: Tuesday, July 14, 2026 | 3:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM PT
Venue: Dallas Stadium (AT&T Stadium), Arlington, Texas
Stakes: Winner advances to the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final
Team News
France heads into the semifinal in excellent shape. Coach Didier Deschamps has rotated effectively throughout the tournament, and the squad remains largely injury-free. Kylian Mbappé has been in excellent goal-scoring form, including a goal in the quarterfinal victory over Morocco.
N’Golo Kanté continues to provide valuable midfield depth from the bench, while the defensive unit anchored by William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano has looked rock solid.
Spain also arrive relatively unscathed. Luis de la Fuente’s side showed maturity in their quarterfinal win over Belgium. Lamine Yamal remains the standout creative force, while Rodri anchors the midfield with his usual composure. No major injury concerns have emerged in the build-up, giving De la Fuente a near full-strength squad to choose from.
Current Form
France have been the standout team of the World Cup 2026. They topped their group with authority and have yet to drop points in the knockout stages. Their blend of defensive organization and rapid counter-attacking threat has made them extremely difficult to beat.
Spain have impressed with their possession-based style and the emergence of several young talents. They have shown they can control games and break down organized defenses, though they will face their toughest test yet against France’s experienced backline.
France vs Spain Full Squads
France Squad
Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan, Brice Samba, Robin Risser
Defenders: Jules Koundé, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano, Ibrahima Konaté, Theo Hernández, Lucas Hernández, Malo Gusto, Lucas Digne, Maxence Lacroix
Midfielders: Aurélien Tchouaméni, Manu Koné, N’Golo Kanté, Adrien Rabiot, Warren Zaïre-Emery, Michael Olise, Rayan Cherki, Maghnes Akliouche
Forwards: Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Marcus Thuram, Bradley Barcola, Désiré Doué, Jean-Philippe Mateta
Spain Squad
Goalkeepers: Unai Simón, David Raya, Joan García
Defenders: Aymeric Laporte, Pau Cubarsí, Marc Cucurella, Alejandro Grimaldo, Pedro Porro, Marc Pubill, Eric García
Midfielders: Rodri, Fabián Ruiz, Dani Olmo, Pedri, Gavi, Mikel Merino, Martín Zubimendi, Marcos Llorente, Álex Baena, Yéremy Pino
Forwards: Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, Ferran Torres, Mikel Oyarzabal, Borja Iglesias, Víctor Muñoz
Starting XI Lineup
- France Starting XI Lineup (4-3-3) vs Spain: Maignan; Koundé, Saliba, Upamecano, Theo Hernández; Tchouaméni, Koné, Kanté; Dembélé, Mbappé, Barcola
- Spain Starting XI Lineup (4-3-3) vs France: Simón; Porro, Cubarsí, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Zubimendi, Olmo; Yamal, Williams, Torres
Key Players to Watch
- Kylian Mbappé (France): The captain and talisman. His pace, finishing, and ability to stretch defenses remain world-class.
- Ousmane Dembélé (France): In electric form. His dribbling and directness on the right flank create constant problems.
- Lamine Yamal (Spain): The 18-year-old phenom. His vision, dribbling, and set-piece delivery have been exceptional.
- Rodri (Spain): The midfield controller. If he dictates tempo, Spain will dominate possession.
- William Saliba (France): The rock at the heart of defense. His composure on the ball and reading of the game are vital.
France vs Spain head-to-head records
In their all-time football history, Spain holds the overall head-to-head advantage over France, though France has historically performed better in major tournament knockout matches.
All-Time Head-to-Head Statistics
- Total Matches Played: 38
- Spain Wins: 18
- France Wins: 13
- Draws: 7
Tactical Analysis
France under Deschamps are a well-drilled unit that excels on the counter-attack. They sit deep, absorb pressure, and explode forward through Mbappé and Dembélé. Their midfield trio (Tchouaméni, Koné, Kanté) offers an excellent balance of defensive cover and progressive passing.
Spain prefer to dominate the ball. With Rodri and Olmo/Zubimendi controlling the center, they look to play through the lines and exploit the creativity of Yamal and Williams on the flanks. The key battle will be whether Spain can break down France’s compact defensive block or if France’s transitions prove too lethal.
Expect a high-quality, tactical contest. France may look to frustrate Spain early and hit on the break, while Spain will try to use their superior technical quality to create sustained pressure.
Where to Watch France vs Spain in the USA?
In the United States, you can watch the France vs. Spain FIFA World Cup semifinal match live on FOX for English coverage and Telemundo for Spanish coverage.
TV & Streaming (USA):
- English: FOX, FOX One, Fox Sports app
- Spanish: Telemundo
- Streaming: Peacock (select matches), Fox Sports app (with cable login)
The match will also be available on major live TV streaming services that carry FOX and Telemundo.
Match Prediction
This is a 50/50 matchup on paper, but France’s experience, defensive organization, and match-winning individual quality give them a slight edge. Spain’s youthful energy and technical superiority could produce moments of magic, especially through Yamal.
France’s depth and proven knockout pedigree should see them edge a tight, high-quality semifinal.
- Our Prediction: France 2-1 Spain (France to reach the 2026 World Cup Final)
When is the France vs Spain World Cup semifinal?
Tuesday, July 14, 2026 at 3:00 PM ET at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Where can I watch France vs Spain live in the USA?
The match will be broadcast on FOX and FOX One (English) and Telemundo (Spanish). Streaming is available on the Fox Sports app and Peacock.
Who is the favorite to win France vs Spain?
France are slight favorites due to their experience and defensive solidity, but Spain’s attacking talent makes this a very close contest.
What are the probable lineups for France vs Spain?
France are expected to line up in a 4-3-3 with Maignan in goal and Mbappé leading the attack. Spain are likely to use a similar 4-3-3 with Rodri anchoring midfield and Yamal on the right wing.
Who are the key players to watch?
Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé for France; Lamine Yamal, Rodri, and Nico Williams for Spain.
Who will win the for France vs Spain?
We predict a narrow 2-1 victory for France, with Les Bleus advancing to the final.