France vs Spain Preview: Prediction, Kickoff Time, Team News & How to Watch World Cup 2026 Semifinal

Dallas has the road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, as France and Spain lock horns in one of the biggest games of the tournament on Tuesday, July 14. Two of Europe’s top football giants will face-off in Sunday’s battle for the Final, with a seat in the biggest tournament on earth on the line, and Kylian Mbappé and teen sensation Lamine Yamal in action.

France come into the tournament as one of the most brilliant, and Spain have been using the disciplined defending and quick fire goals to keep their title dreams alive.

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France vs Spain kickoff time

• Match: France vs Spain
• Competition: FIFA World Cup 2026 – Semifinal
• Date: Tuesday, July 14, 2026
• Venue: Dallas Stadium, Arlington, Texas
• Kickoff:
  • 3 p.m. ET (USA)
  • 8 p.m. BST (UK)
  • 9 p.m. CEST (France & Spain)

How France reached the semifinals

Throughout the tournament, Didier Deschamps’ team has been strong.

France topped the Group I of 4, beating Norway, Senegal and Iraq before going on to continue their impressive form in the knockout rounds.

Their results include:

• 3-0 vs Sweden
• 1-0 vs Paraguay
• 2-0 vs Morocco

France, on the other hand, have kept three clean sheets in the knockout games, and have one of the deadliest attacking threats in the tournament.

How Spain reached the semifinals

Spain have taken a different route to the final four.

After finishing first in Group H, La Roja eliminated:

• Austria (3-0)
• Portugal (1-0)
• Belgium (2-1)

Luis de la Fuente’s team has focused on holding the ball and being rigid with opponents, letting in just one goal in five games.

Late winners in both matches against Portugal and Belgium pointed to Spain’s patience in order to strike when it counts.

Mbappé leads France’s attack

Football star Kylian Mbappé has taken home the win again in France against the biggest stage.

The Real Madrid attacker has been on par with Messi in the Golden Boot race, having netted eight goals in the tournament.

He has received plenty of support from an explosive attacking unit featuring:

• Ousmane Dembélé
• Michael Olise
• Bradley Barcola
• Désiré Doué

Despite France’s impressive form, Mbappé believes the job is far from finished.

“This team has not achieved anything yet. It has enormous potential, but we still have to finish the job.”

France are chasing their third consecutive World Cup final appearance after reaching the 2018 and 2022 finals.

Spain trust their balanced approach

France have been brilliant in the attack while Spain have come across as impressive in terms of organisation and composure.

Midfield is still dominated by Rodri, who has been able to dictate play, and Pedri, Dani Olmo and Lamine Yamal have been creative going forward.

Lamine Yamal, Spain’s teenage star, is still one of the breakout players of the tournament and will play a pivotal role in their bid to beat France again.

It’s “a final before the final,” Head Coach Luis de la Fuente said after knocking out Belgium in the semifinal.

France vs Spain head-to-head

The two European rivals have met 38 times.

Head-to-head record

• Spain wins: 18
• France wins: 13
• Draws: 7

Spain have also won each of the last two major knockout meetings:

• Euro 2024 semifinal (2-1)
• UEFA Nations League 2025 semifinal (5-4)

Team news

France

France has a couple of fitness concerns ahead of kickoff.

• Manu Koné remains doubtful with physical discomfort.
• Aurélien Tchouaméni is battling a groin issue.
• Dayot Upamecano and William Saliba missed portions of training because of back problems.

Spain

The Spanish side do not have any serious injury concerns when heading to the semifinal.

Predicted lineups

France (4-2-3-1)

Maignan; Koundé, Upamecano, Saliba, Digne; Koné, Rabiot; Dembélé, Olise, Doué; Mbappé.

Spain (4-2-3-1)

Unai Simón; Porro, Cubarsí, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Fabián Ruiz; Yamal, Dani Olmo, Baena; Oyarzabal.

Prediction

France are arguably the most rounded sides in the tournament, with their forward line a superb forward unit and their back line as good as their best ever.

Spain have plenty of quality to handle possession in prolonged spells but France’s ability to hit them on the counter-attack may be key.

France are coming into the game with their backs to the wall and against an outclassed Mbappé, but Les Bleus do have a small edge.

Prediction: France 2-1 Spain

What happens if the match ends level?

If the score remains tied after 90 minutes, the semifinal will move to 30 minutes of extra time.

If neither side finds a winner, the match will be decided by a penalty shootout.

What’s next?

The winner of France vs Spain will advance to the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final, where they will face either England or Argentina, who meet in the second semifinal.