France vs Spain World Cup 2026 semi-final preview: Prediction, team news & line-ups | OneFootball

AT&T Stadium sets the stage for a heavyweight 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final clash between France and Spain.

Looking to become only the third team in World Cup history to appear in three consecutive finals, Les Bleus head into proceedings as slim favourites after winning all six matches in regulation time.

Ousmane Dembele and World Cup top scorer Kylian Mbappe were on the scoresheet as Didier Deschamps’ side beat Morocco 2-0 in the quarter-finals, booking their tickets for this blockbuster showdown in Arlington, Texas.

Unlike their opposition, Spain had to survive late drama to overcome Belgium last time out, with second-half substitute Mikel Merino scoring an 88th-minute winner to seal La Furia Roja’s 2-1 victory.

Luis de la Fuente’s charges are potentially 90 minutes away from reaching their first World Cup final since lifting the trophy in 2010, but ending France’s relentless march towards another showpiece appearance will require something special.

Force to be reckoned with

Deschamps’ men are on course to piece together one of the most dominant runs in the history of the competition.

In addition to winning all three matches in Group I by an aggregate score of 10-2, they have navigated each of their three knockout ties without conceding, with only Paraguay preventing them from scoring more than once.

With 16 goals, Les Bleus are the tournament’s most prolific team, largely thanks to the joint-top scorer, Mbappe, who has netted 50% of his side’s goals in North America so far.

However, France cannot afford to rest on their laurels as they gear up for their eighth semi-final appearance at the most prestigious international tournament, with a formidable opponent set to test their credentials.

To put things in perspective, the two-time world champions have suffered eight defeats across their last ten meetings with Spain, highlighting the magnitude of the task awaiting Deschamps here.

Tuesday night’s fixture will mark a landmark occasion for the 57-year-old manager, who is set to become the most experienced coach in World Cup history with his 26th match in charge.

Resurgent giants

Since winning the trophy in South Africa, Spain have massively struggled on the biggest stage, failing to win a single knockout match before a 3-0 rout of Austria in the round of 32.

De la Fuente helped the Iberian giants buck that trend this summer, building on his remarkable Euro 2024 triumph while protecting his imperious record at major tournaments (W12, D1).

Despite boasting a wealth of offensive potential, he has based Spain’s success on a rock-solid defence that has capitulated just once in his first six World Cup games at the helm.

La Furia Roja’s defensive solidity is about to face its sternest test yet, but they should be confident of passing it with flying colours, having avoided defeat in regulation time across their last 36 internationals.

Only their second World Cup semi-final since 2010 offers Spain another shot at history, with the encouraging statistic that they have progressed from six of their last seven semi-finals at major tournaments.

All eyes will be on Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal, who has yet to hit top form in North America, but few players are more capable of producing a match-winning moment on the biggest stage.

Team news & line-ups

Mbappe had to come off in the second half against Morocco, handing Deschamps a huge concern ahead of this clash, but the Real Madrid superstar should be available to start.

As for Spain, De la Fuente has a full squad at his disposal, including Pedri, who appeared to struggle with fatigue in the closing stages of their quarter-final win over Belgium.

France (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, Digne; Kone, Rabiot; Dembele, Olise, Doue; Mbappe.

Spain (4-2-3-1): Simon; Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Fabian; Yamal, Olmo, Baena; Oyarzabal.

Prediction

Although Spain are just one game short of equalling Argentina’s all-time unbeaten record in regulation time, France look unstoppable at the moment.

Les Bleus cannot realistically hope to have another walk in the park, but they possess too much quality across the pitch to miss out on another World Cup final.

France to win in regulation