The FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinal is here. Two titans, France and Spain, collide at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas,Tuesday at 2 PM local time (19:00 GMT). Expect fireworks as France's explosive attack meets Spain's rock-solid defense.
France comes in hot,undefeated so far. They crushed Group I with wins over Norway,Senegal, and Iraq. In knockouts,they eased past Sweden 3-0, edged Paraguay 1-0,and outclassed Morocco 2-0 to reach semis.
Meanwhile,Spain,fresh from Group H, collected seven points beating Saudi Arabia and Uruguay,and drawing Cape Verde. They swept past Austria 3-0,scraped by Portugal 1-0,and squeezed a late 2-1 win against Belgium to get here.
Kylian Mbappe,France's captain, is on fire,leading with eight goals in five games. His partner in crime,Ousmane Dembele,has added five . But Mbappe insists they haven't won anything yet. “I was a champion [in 2018] and a World Cup runner-up [in 2022],and this team has not achieved anything yet,” he said .
France's World Cup track record is impressive: four finals in seven tournaments, champions in 1998 and 2018. Beating Spain could tie them with West Germany's four finals between 1974 and 1990 .
Spain,under coach Luis de la Fuente,plays it cool. Their defense has only let one goal slip. De la Fuente calls this clash “a final before the final,” confident after beating France in both Euro 2024 and 2025 UEFA Nations League semifinals.
Opta gives France 42.1% shot at winning in regulation, Spain 31.8%. Extra time? 26.1% chance .
Winner faces England or Argentina in Sunday's final in New Jersey. Stakes are high,fans buzzing to see who fights for the trophy.
History? Spain leads 18 wins to France's 13 in 38 meetings. Last year, Spain edged France 5-4 in UEFA Nations League semis.
France sets up with Maignan in goal, Kounde,Upamecano,Saliba, Digne in defense. Midfield of Kone,Rabiot,and an attack led by Mbappe, Dembele,Olise.
Spain lines up with Simon as keeper, backed by Porro,Cubarsi, Laporte,Cucurella. Midfield trio Rodri, Ruiz, Yamal,and attack led by Oyarzabal.
If tied after 90 minutes,expect extra time and maybe a penalty shootout.
