European heavyweights France and Spain go head-to-head in the first semi-final of the 2026 World Cup when they meet at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington on Tuesday 14th July (8pm UK time).
Surprisingly, the duo have only ever locked horns once at the World Cup, with France running out 3-1 winners in the last 16 of the 2006 tournament.
Spain, however, have had the upper hand in recent meetings, defeating Les Bleus 2-1 in the Euro 2024 semi-finals en route to winning the trophy, before edging a thrilling 5-4 victory in last summer’s Nations League semi-finals.
Read on for the best of the World Cup 2024 stats for what promises to be a seismic showdown between two of the tournament favourites.
Spain can equal world record
- Spain can equal Italy’s world record of 37 games unbeaten if they avoid defeat to France in normal or extra-time.
Spain’s 2-1 victory over Belgium in the quarter-finals not only propelled the country into just their second ever World Cup semi-final, but stretched their unbeaten run to 36 matches (excluding penalty shoot-outs) in all competitions.
This remarkable run is a new national record, which puts Spain within one game of matching Italy’s undefeated 37 game world record; achieved between 2018 and 2021 during which they won Euro 2020.
La Roja, who haven’t lost since a defeat to Colombia in March 2024, now need to avoid defeat against France in normal or extra-time to draw level with the Italians in the history books.
Spain are also enjoying an unbeaten run of 14 matches at major tournaments and have only been beaten once in their last 27 matches at major tournaments (W16 D10), excluding penalty shoot-outs.
READ – France vs Spain: The Comparison Matrix combined XI for World Cup semi-final
France seek seventh heaven
- France can become only the second ever European country to win seven World Cup games in a row after Italy between 1934 and 1938.
Speaking of Italian records, France have the opportunity to equal the Azzurri’s European record of seven successive wins at the World Cup, which Italy achieved between 1934 and 1938 (winning both tournaments).
France have won all six of their games at the current edition: they won Group I after beating Senegal, Iraq, and Norway, while they overcame Sweden, Paraguay, and Morocco (all to nil) in the knockout stages.
Meanwhile, France are currently enjoying a 13 game unbeaten record in all competitions – featuring 12 wins – dating back to June 2025 when they lost a nine-goal thriller to Spain in the Nations League.
Mbappe targets Messi’s milestone
- Kylian Mbappe (20 goals) needs one more goal to equal Lionel Messi’s record of 21 World Cup goals.
Kylian Mbappe is currently tied on eight goals with Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot. He has the opportunity to surge ahead of the Argentine when France take on Spain and, if he does score, he will also equal Messi’s record of 21 World Cup goals.
Mbappe can draw on an impressive record of 12 goals in the knockout stages of the World Cup, including four goals in three games in the knockout stages in 2026. But, the semi-final is the only stage of the tournament that he’s yet to score in.
After six games of the tournament, Mbappe has the joint most goals (8), most shots on target (19), and second most shots (30).
READ – Ballon d’Or 2026 odds: Kylian Mbappe new favourite ahead of Harry Kane & Lionel Messi
Michael Olise at your service
- Michael Olise (5) needs one more assist to equal Pele’s record of 6 assists at a single World Cup.
Michael Olise still leads the assists charts with five assists in six games this tournament. The Frenchman will once again have the chance to equal Pele’s single-edition record of six assists from 1970.
Olise has sparkled in his first World Cup, where he’s completed the most through balls (7), is ranked second for big chances created (5), and third for take-ons completed (15).
Spain dominate H2H
- Spain have won seven of the last 10 meetings between the countries.
Spain have won 18, drawn seven, and lost 13 of the 38 clashes with France. La Roja have been particularly dominant over the course of the last 10 meetings between the countries, of which they’ve won seven, which includes semi-final victories at Euro 2024 and Nations League 2025.
In fact, Spain can draw on a very impressive semi-final record in general, having progressed from six of their seven last-four appearances at major tournaments.
France bid for final hat-trick
- France can become only the third country to reach three successive World Cup finals.
France are bidding to reach their fifth World Cup final, behind only Germany (8), Brazil (7), Italy and Argentina (both 6).
Les Bleus reached the final in 2018 (won) and 2022 (runners-up), meaning they now have the opportunity to become only the third country in World Cup history to reach three finals on the spin after Germany and Brazil.
Meanwhile, France have won each of their last four World Cup semi-finals in 1998, 2006, 2018, and 2022.
Oyarzabal bids to join duo
- Mikel Oyarzabal (4 goals) is one goal away from equalling Emilio Butragueno (1986) and David Villa (2010) for the most goals (5) scored for Spain at a single World Cup.
Mikel Oyarzabal has been one of Spain’s stars at the 2026 World Cup, leading La Roja’s scoring charts with four goals in six matches, including braces against Saudi Arabia and Austria.
Oyarzabal’s form has extended beyond the tournament too, having scored 17 goals in his last 18 starts for Spain. Another strike against France would see him become only the third Spanish player in history to reach five goals at a single World Cup, joining Emilio Butragueno and David Villa in an exclusive club.
Super sub Merino
- Spain’s Mikel Merino could become only the third player to score in three straight substitute appearances at a single World Cup.
Spain’s Mikel Merino has been the country’s last-gasp hero in each of their last two matches, having come of the bench to score late winners against Portugal in the last-16 and then Belgium in the quarter-finals.
The midfielder will hope this now puts him in the mix to start against France, but if he is once again amongst the substitutes, he could have the chance to become only the third player to score in three straight substitute appearances at a single World Cup after Romelu Lukaku, who did so for Belgium earlier this tournament.
More history for dominant Deschamps
- Didier Deschamps is set to take charge of his 26th World Cup match as a manager, surpassing Helmut Schon’s record of 25.
Didier Deschamps drew level with Helmut Schon’s record of 25 matches managed at the World Cup after he oversaw France’s 2-0 win over Morocco, which also extended his own record to 20 matches won at the World Cup.
Deschamps is now set to take charge of his 26th match at the tournament, which will surpass Schon’s record.
De la Fuente’s remarkable record
- Spain manager Luis de la Fuente could extend his unbeaten record at major tournaments to 14 matches without defeat.
Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente is still unbeaten at major tournaments, guiding La Roja through his first 13 matches across the European Championship and World Cup without tasting defeat once.
De la Fuente led Spain to Euro 2024 glory with a seven-game unbeaten run and has since overseen an impressive start to his first World Cup campaign, taking Spain through their opening six matches without defeat.
Victory over France would see Spain become the first European country to win eight straight knockout games at major tournaments.
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