France relocate from Boston to Dallas for World Cup semi-final with Spain | OneFootball

France have left Boston and set up in Dallas for Tuesday’s World Cup semi-final against Spain, which kicks off at 21:00. They will play in a modern, roofed arena in Arlington, a change from recent heat or downpours.

According to L'Équipe, they undertook their longest US trip on Sunday, a flight of over four hours from Boston to Dallas, the third-largest city in Texas, and into a new time zone.

They arrived after 18:00 local time, 1:00 in France, and will train on Monday at Southern Methodist University. The hotel to stadium drive is about 25 minutes, and the training ground is 10 minutes away.

FIFA selected the Adolphus hotel in downtown Dallas, a historic landmark with grand wood panelling and chandeliers. Its urban setting contrasts with the greenery outside their Boston base.

Knockout travel had mirrored the group stage, with three straight ties in New York, Philadelphia and Boston. In Philadelphia they limited their stay to the night before beating Iraq 3-0 on 22 June, deeming that hotel unsuitable for preparation.

Other guests are present, an Argentina shirt was spotted and Portugal previously stayed there, while a framed note from Queen Elizabeth II recalls her 1991 visit. The stadium roof should help with 35C heat and forecast storms on Tuesday.

Dallas is better known for the 1963 assassination of John F Kennedy, a 10-minute walk from the team’s hotel. A few supporters were already there on Sunday, yet the area showed no sign the team were arriving.

Source: L'Équipe