France lock horns with Spain in Dallas on Tuesday in the first of two blockbuster semi-final showdowns at the 2026 World Cup.
The first semi-final of the World Cup sees two of the pre-tournament favourites go head-to-head. And it promises to be a mouth-watering battle for a spot in Sunday’s final.
Spain remain unbeaten under Luis de la Fuente at major tournaments, already lifting the Euro 2024 trophy. La Roja topped Group H this summer and swept Austria aside in the round-of-32. But they required late interventions from super sub Mikel Merino to snatch dramatic victories over Portugal and Belgium.
France, meanwhile, have won all six of their matches this summer to reach an eighth World Cup semi-final. And they’ve prevailed from each of the past four. Didier Deschamps’ side have enjoyed a relatively stress-free passage into the final four — aside from their hard-fought 1-0 win over Paraguay — also beating Sweden and Morocco without conceding.
This will be a third-successive year in which France and Spain 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. 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.
- Bet £10 get £30
- Excellent Football Betting Options
- Extensive Bet-Builder
- Multi-Award Winning Bookmaker
New customers can sign up using bonus code SQUAWKA365, bet £10 and get £30 in Free Bets. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration Required. This code is for marketing and tracking purposes only. #Ad.
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 currently deemed doubtful to feature in Dallas. Aurielen Tchouameni has recovered from a thigh injury of his own, and could start in midfield. In fact, some reports claim that he will start ahead of Kone alongside Adrien Rabiot.
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.
Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets with Bet365
Not signed up to bet365 yet? Here's how to claim one of the best bookmaker welcome offers around...
- Open an account (here's a link)
- Make a qualifying deposit of between £5* and £10*
- Claim the offer to receive three times your deposit in 'Free Bets'.
- To release your 'Free Bets', place qualifying bets to the value of your qualifying deposit and allow those bets to settle.
- Your 'Free Bets' will become available shortly after your qualifying bets have settled
- To use your 'Free Bets', select 'Use bet credits' in the bet slip.
Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply.
Spain team news
Similarly to Deschamps, De la Fuente is unlikely to do too much tinkering to a winning side. The Spain boss only made one change for the Belgium game, and it worked in his favour. Fabian Ruiz scored the opening goal, and is therefore likely to keep his place ahead of Pedri.
The manager 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; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Olise, Barcola; Mbappe.
Spain (4-2-3-1): Simon; Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Fabian Ruiz; Yamal, Olmo, Baena; Oyarzabal.
Read more: