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Who: France vs Spain
Content: 2026 FIFA World Cup – Semi-Finals 1
Location: Dallas Stadium, Arlington, Texas, USA
Date and time: Tuesday 2pm (19:00 GMT)
How to follow: Get everything ready on Al Jazeera Sports from 16:00 GMT before the live text commentary stream.
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Grab your popcorn and crack open some cold popcorn – it’s time for the World Cup semi-finals.
Two-time world champions France are the favorites to add another one to their record and will face European champions Spain in their biggest match to date at the 2026 World Cup.
History is on the horizon for Les Bleus, who could become the second European nation after West Germany to qualify for three consecutive World Cup finals.
But France now stands in the way of a familiar enemy with whom they share a historic rivalry: the cunning and tough Spain.
Tuesday’s season-opening Final Four game will be a clash of different styles. France’s ferocious, unstoppable attack faced off against Spain’s controlled, cautious game.
Here’s what you need to know about the first semifinal.
How did France and Spain reach the semi-finals?
France topped Group I with a perfect record of nine points after defeating Norway, Senegal and Iraq. They defeated Sweden 3-0 in the round of 32, defeated stubborn Paraguay 1-0 in the last 16, and advanced to the semi-finals with a 2-0 victory over Morocco.
Spain topped Group H with seven points after defeating Saudi Arabia and Uruguay and drawing with Cape Verde. They started the finals by defeating Austria 3-0 in the round of 32, and defeated Portugal 1-0 with a late goal in the Iberian soccer derby in the round of 16.
They won 2-1 against Belgium in the final stages, securing their place in the semi-finals.
‘This French team hasn’t achieved anything yet’: Mbappé
France’s enviable attacking line-up performed like no other in this tournament.
The dazzling Kylian Mbappé is the current leader in the race for the Golden Boot with eight goals in five games, while Ousmane Dembele has scored five. Bradley Barcola also scored two goals, and Michael Oliseh was the best playmaker with five assists.
These figures invite comparisons with the greats of the past, but despite their highly impressive campaign at the World Cup, captain Mbappe said the current squad are yet to reach the key point on the way to winning the title.
“I was champion (2018) and World Cup runner-up (2022), but this team has not achieved anything yet,” said Mbappé, who has scored 20 goals in 20 appearances in three World Cups, including four in the final.
“But he is the one with the biggest potential. There are so many qualities in this team and we can dream.”
France have reached four of the last seven World Cup finals, lifting the trophy in 1998 and 2018, before losing in 2006 and 2022.
If they defeat Spain, France will be compared to West Germany, which reached the final four times between 1974 and 1990 and is perhaps the ultimate tournament nation.
“This is the final before the final” Spain coach
Unlike France, who are a very attacking team, Spain opted for a controlled approach. La Roja’s solid defense has only conceded one goal, against Belgium in the quarter-finals, but Rodri, Pedri and Dani Olmo rarely hand over control of the midfield.
Immediately after Spain secured their place in the semi-finals, coach Luis de la Fuente emphasized the importance of their next match against France, adding that Spain, who are ranked third in the FIFA world rankings, can beat any team.
“It’s no exaggeration to say that this match is the final before the final,” he said.
“We are one of the teams that can advance to the finals. From now on, we will concentrate all our efforts on France.”
“We recognize their immense potential, but we also know that we are the only team to have beaten them twice in the semi-finals,” he added.
In fact, Spain defeated France in the Euro 2024 semi-finals and the 2025 UEFA Nations League semi-finals to become European champions.
France vs Spain predictions
Opta’s supercomputer gives France a 42.1 percent chance of winning in the allotted time, while Spain has a 31.8 percent chance of winning.
This model estimates a 26.1% chance that a game will go into overtime.
Who will the winner face in the final?
The winner of the France-Spain semifinal will face either England or Argentina in the final in New Jersey on Sunday.
France vs Spain: Head-to-head
France and Spain are familiar foes, having played each other 38 times.
Spain has won 18 games and has the upper hand in head-to-head results. France have won 13 times, but seven games have ended in draws.
The last time the two sides met was in the Nations League semi-finals in Germany about a year ago, when Spain defeated France 5-4 in a frenzied game, with two goals from Yamal.
France vs Spain: Last 5 matches
Spain 5-4 France (UEFA Nations League 2025 Semi-Final) Spain 2-1 France (Euro 2024 Semi-Final) Spain 1-2 France (UEFA Nations League 2021 Final) France 0-2 Spain (International Friendly, 2017) France 1-0 Spain (International Friendly, 2014)
France vs Spain: Where to watch, kick-off time
France: beIN Sports, M6, M6+ (9pm CET) Spain: DAZN Mundial (9pm CET) UK: TBA (8pm BST) US: Fox, Fox One, Telemundo App, Telemundo Network, Peacock (3pm EDT)
To see the TV listings for your country, visit the FIFA TV listings schedule here.
France vs Spain: Team news
French midfielders Kone (physical discomfort) and Choameni (groin) are doubtful, while defenders Upamecano and Saliba (back injury) did not take part in Saturday’s training session.
No injuries were reported at the Spanish camp.
France’s expected lineup
(4-2-3-1): Menyan (goalkeeper). Kunde, Upamecano, Saliba, Digne. Cohn, Rabiot. Dembélé, Olise, Due. mbappe
Expected lineup of Spain national team
(4-2-3-1): Simon (goalkeeper). Polo, Kvarsi, Laporte, Cucurella. Rodri, Luis. Yamal, Olmo, Baena. oyarzabal
