France lock horns with Spain in Dallas on Tuesday in the first of two blockbuster semi-final showdowns at the 2026 World Cup.
Two of the pre-tournament favourites go head to head in what promises to be a mouth-watering battle for a place in Sunday’s final. This will be a the third successive year in which they are facing off in a tournament semi-final. Spain have prevailed in the last two, winning 2-1 at Euro 2024 and 5-4 in the 2025 Nations League finals.
La Roja remain unbeaten under Luis de la Fuente at major tournaments. After topping Group H and sweeping Austria aside in the round of 32, Spain required late interventions from super sub Mikel Merino to snatch dramatic victories over Portugal and Belgium.
Meanwhile, France have won all six of their matches to reach an eighth World Cup semi-final, with Les Bleus having prevailed from each of their last four. Didier Deschamps’ side have endured a relatively stress-free passage into the last four — aside from their hard-fought 1-0 win over Paraguay — also defeating Sweden and Morocco without conceding.
Two great teams, but there’s only one place available in the final, and it really is the toss of a coin to determine who will prevail.
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France vs Spain team news
France team news
With his side winning all of their matches so far, it’s no surprise that Didier Deschamps has made minimal alterations to his starting XI. The most juggling he’s done has come on the wings, with Desire Doue replacing Bradley Barcola for the victory over Morocco. However, Deschamps is likely to revert to the latter after the former’s low-key display in that game.
His only injury concerns come in the heart of midfield, with Manu Kone and Aurelien Tchouameni both currently deemed doubtful to feature in Dallas. If they’re not fit in time, Deschamps will likely have to decide between the youth of Warren Zaire-Emery, or the experience of N’Golo Kante.
His back five are fairly settled with Mike Maignan behind a defence of Jules Kounde, Dayot Upamecano, William Saliba and Lucas Digne. Meanwhile, the other three attacking places pick themselves in skipper Kylian Mbappe, along with Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise.
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Spain team news
Similarly to Deschamps, De la Fuente is unlikely to do too much tinkering to a winning side. His only change for the Belgium game, Fabian Ruiz scored the opening goal, and is therefore likely to keep his place ahead of Pedri.
The head coach also has a decision to make over match-winner Merino, who has done everything in his cameo appearances to justify his place in the starting XI. Although, De la Fuente may be tempted to keep him in an impact role, along with Nico Williams.
Alex Baena has impressed on the left side of the attack, with Lamine Yamal on the other, and top scorer Mikel Oyarzabal through the middle. Unai Simon will start between the sticks, behind a settled back four of Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsi, Aymeric Laporte and Marc Cucurella.
France vs Spain predicted lineups
France (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, Digne; Kone, Rabiot; Dembele, Olise, Barcola; Mbappe.
Spain (4-2-3-1): Simon; Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Fabian Ruiz; Yamal, Olmo, Baena; Oyarzabal.
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