It’s an all-European clash in the first of the 2026 World Cup semi-finals as Spain and France clash in Texas.
– View our latest Football markets.
Spain’s Strengths
Spain are technically gifted and very disciplined, with the outstanding Rodri marshalling things in midfield. Lamine Yamal is a constant threat on the right, while Marc Cucurella provides a very useful option on the left.
Up until their quarter-final against Belgium they had not conceded a goal in the tournament, but their discipline never wavered against Belgium even when extra-time was looming and they eventually got a late winner, which came from Mikel Merino, who came off the bench to score, just as he had done in Spain’s last-16 1-0 win over Portugal.
France’s Attacking Quality
France are also technically excellent and disciplined and have outstanding attacking threats in Désiré Doué, Ousmane Dembélé, who has scored five goals at this year’s World Cup, and Kylian Mbappé, backed up by the creative flair of Michael Olise. Furthermore, Rayan Cherki can be called upon from the bench.
Spain don’t have a cutting-edge, prolific striker in the way that France has in Mbappé, who has scored eight goals so far in the tournament.
Five different players have scored for Spain at this year’s World Cup, with Mikel Oyarzabal leading the way with four, with those goals coming against Saudi Arabia and Austria.
Key Tactical Battle
The question for Spain is how well can they contain a forward line of Doué, Dembélé, who has scored five goals at this year’s World Cup, and Mbappé, who is on target to land the tournament’s Golden Boot for a second-successive World Cup.
Mbappé was substituted with 15 minutes to go against Belgium and prompted fears about his fitness. When asked about this on Saturday, he dispelled those concerns by saying, “all is good”.
Tactically, the battle between Digne and Lamine Yamal could be important, but will Spain’s full-backs, Pedro Porro and Marc Cucurella, be able to get forward as much as they have been able to so far given the attacking threat of France’s wide players? It would be risky for them to do so.
Team News & Predicted Lineups
Spain Team News
Nico Williams picked up an injury during the group stage but made his return from the bench in the quarter-final victory over Belgium, suggesting he is back in contention. Whether Luis de la Fuente opts to restore him to the starting XI ahead of Alex Baena, who has started on the left wing throughout the knockout stages, remains to be seen.
Fabián Ruiz was preferred alongside Rodri in midfield against Belgium, replacing Pedri, and justified his selection by opening the scoring with a superb long-range effort. The Paris Saint-Germain midfielder is in line to keep his place, although Pedri remains De la Fuente’s first-choice partner for Rodri when fully available.
Lamine Yamal, who recently returned from the hamstring injury he suffered with Barcelona in April, completed the full 90 minutes against Belgium and looks set to start once again.
France Team News
Aurélien Tchouaméni remains France’s only injury concern ahead of the semi-final. The Real Madrid midfielder has not featured since suffering a groin injury before the last-16 victory over Paraguay and was an unused substitute during the quarter-final win over Morocco.
Should Tchouaméni fail to recover in time, Didier Deschamps is expected to stick with the Adrien Rabiot and Manu Koné partnership in midfield. The duo has impressed throughout the knockout stages and is likely to keep its place.
Elsewhere, France have no fresh injury concerns. Mike Maignan is set to continue in goal, with Jules Koundé, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano and Theo Hernandez forming the back four. Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise and Bradley Barcola are expected to support captain Kylian Mbappé in attack.
Predicted XI’s
Predicted Spain XI (4-2-3-1): Unai Simón; Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsí, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella; Rodri, Fabián Ruiz; Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Alex Baena; Mikel Oyarzabal.
Predicted France XI (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Koundé, Saliba, Upamecano, Hernandez; Rabiot, Koné; Dembélé, Olise, Barcola; Mbappé.
Spain vs France Prediction
Overall, though, when push comes to shove, France have more gears that they can click into, along with more creative and attacking options. These can be usefully drawn upon, particularly in the later stages of the game, which could become more open, especially if Spain have gone behind.
In conclusion, France are taken to win in normal time, with 2-1 or 3-1 being suggested score options.
Verdict: France (13/10)
Can France Continue Their World Cup Legacy?
On what will be Bastille Day in France when the game is being played, cries of Marchons! Marchons! will reverberate across the Atlantic Ocean and link two continents.
Champions in 1998 and 2018, and runners-up in 2006 and 2022, no country has a better record at World Cups this century than France. This can improve even further on July 14.
Spain vs France: Date, Kick-Off Time and TV Coverage
When is Spain vs France?
Spain take on France on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in the FIFA World Cup semi-finals.
What time is kick-off?
Kick-off is scheduled for 20:00 (UK/Ire)
Where is Spain vs France being played?
The match will be played at AT&T Stadium (Arlington, TX)
Where can I watch Spain vs France?
In Ireland, you can watch on RTE 2 & the RTE Player. ITV & ITVX will broadcast the game in the UK.
Spain vs France Odds
Spain to win: 9/4
Draw: 21/10
France to win: 13/10
Both Teams to Score: 13/20
Over 2.5 Goals: 17/20
How Can I Bet on the World Cup?
From first goal scorer betting to bet builders and price boosts, we’ve got you covered at BAR 1 Betting.
World Cup Welcome Offer
Bet 10 get 70 in free bets during the 2026 FIFA World Cup with BAR 1 Betting’s World Cup welcome offer.