France Vs Spain 2026 World Cup Semi-Final

France’s Historic Run

France enters the semi‑final as the runaway leaders in the tournament, having won all six of their group‑stage matches by a 10‑2 aggregate margin. The squad has kept three clean sheets in knockout action, allowing just a single goal against Paraguay. With 16 strikes to its name, Les Bleus sit atop the goalscoring charts, driven largely by Kylian Mbappé, whose haul accounts for half of the team’s total. This unbeaten streak positions Didier Deschamps’ side for an eighth appearance in the World Cup’s premier match.

Spain’s Resurgence

Spain needed a dramatic late winner to edge past Belgium in the quarter‑finals, with Mikel Merino’s 88th‑minute strike sealing a 2‑1 victory. Under Luis de la Fuente, the Spaniards have surrendered just one goal in six World Cup fixtures this cycle and remain unbeaten in regulation across their last 36 internationals. The quarter‑final triumph marks a significant turnaround, especially after a long drought that saw them miss multiple knockout rounds since their 2010 triumph. Lamine Yamal, the Barcelona prodigy, is poised to influence the contest despite not yet hitting peak form.

Key Players and Line‑ups

Didier Deschamps will likely field a full‑strength side for Tuesday night, with Kylian Mbappé set to start after a brief substitution against Morocco raised initial concerns. The expected French formation slots in Maignan between the posts, flanked by Koundé, Upamecano, Saliba and Digne, supported by Kone and Rabiot, and augmented by Dembele, Olise, Doue and the evergreen Mbappé. Spain’s manager has a complete squad available, including Pedri, who showed signs of fatigue late in their quarter‑final win. La Furia Roja’s starting XI features Simon in goal, Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte and Cucurella at the back, Rodri and Fabian midfield, with Yamal, Olmo and Baena supporting the front three, culminating in Oyarzabal.

Match Preview and Prediction

France’s overwhelming dominance and a strong head‑to‑head record—suffering only eight defeats in their last ten meetings with Spain—make them the favourites to advance. Spain will look to disrupt that narrative with their resilient defence and the creative spark that young players like Lamine Yamal can provide. Despite the Spaniards’ recent resurgence, France’s firepower and depth suggest they will secure a win within the regulation period.

France to win in regulation