France and Spain will meet in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semifinal on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. ET from Dallas Stadium.
France has been a commanding presence in the tournament, with a perfect 6-0 record through six matches. The team is on the verge of becoming the second squad in World Cup history to achieve seven outright wins in a single tournament, a feat previously accomplished by Brazil's 2002 team. France itself recorded seven wins in 1998 on its way to the semifinals. Kylian Mbappé has been a standout performer, tied for the tournament lead with eight goals in six games. This makes him the first player to score at least eight goals in consecutive World Cups and the only player to reach 20 goals in 20 tournament matches. Midfielder Michael Olise has also made a significant impact in his first World Cup, leading the tournament with six assists, one shy of Pelé's single-tournament record.
Spain's path to the semifinals has been marked by close contests, with most of their wins decided by a single goal. Only their 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia in the group stage and a 3-0 win against Austria in the round of 32 were multi-goal affairs. Several of their crucial wins have come late in the game, including two decided after the 85th minute and one in stoppage time against Portugal.
Spain's defense has been a major story of the tournament. Their 2-1 victory over Belgium on Friday ended a streak of six consecutive matches without conceding a goal, setting a new World Cup record. Goalkeeper Unai Simón's 649 minutes without allowing a goal surpassed the previous record of 622 minutes held by Germany's Nadine Angerer.
The semifinal presents a key tactical battle between France's transition attack and Spain's possession-based game. France has demonstrated ruthlessness in its counterattacks, scoring 16 goals through six matches, with Mbappé accounting for eight of them and scoring in every knockout game. The team can capitalize on turnovers and defensive lapses quickly.
Spain typically dominates possession, averaging 66 minutes per game with a 92% pass completion rate. This allows them to control the game and force opponents to defend for extended periods. However, if this possession does not translate into clear scoring opportunities, it could play into France's hands, especially as Spain continues to integrate Lamine Yamal and relies on late goals to secure victories.
Mbappé is nearing Lionel Messi's all-time World Cup goalscoring record of 21 goals. If he scores against Spain, he will further close the gap. He is also on track to potentially become the second player, after Pelé, to win two World Cup titles before the age of 27, should France advance and win the final.
Lamine Yamal has had a less prolific World Cup thus far compared to his performances in Euro 2024 and the 2025 UEFA Nations League, with no goal contributions since scoring against Saudi Arabia. However, he has shown improvement in each match since returning from an injury sustained during the group stage. His form will be crucial for Spain's chances against France.