France have won all six games in the tournament by a 16-2 aggregate score
Spain drew with Cape Verde in group stage
Recommended bet: France to win @ 23/20 with LiveScore Bet
Score Prediction: France 3-2 Spain
France take on Spain in a monumental semi-final clash between two true European heavyweights in Texas.
Probably the best team in the tournament so far, Les Bleus face a severe test against the Euro 2024 winners, with a World Cup final place up for grabs.
Date, kick‑off time, stadium, competition
Tuesday July 14, 8pm, Dallas Stadium, Arlington, Texas – World Cup semi-finals
Where to Watch
ITV, STV, ITVX, STV Player
Outright Odds
More market odds and predictions
Recommended bet | Stat |
|---|---|
France to win | France have won all six games at the 2026 World Cup |
Kylian Mbappe to score anytime | Mbappe is the joint-leading scorer in the tournament with eight goals |
Over 2.5 goals | There have been three or more goals in four of France's six games, and also three or more in half of Spain's matches |
Mikel Oyarzabal to score or assist | Spain star Oyarzabal has four goals and one assist in the tournament |
Both teams to score | France have scored 16 goals en route to the semis, while La Roja have hit 11 goals in their six outings |
After an opening draw with minnows Cape Verde, Spain's progress has been smooth.
La Roja won five on the bounce without conceding a goal before they edged out Belgium in the last eight.
France, meanwhile, have rarely been troubled as their awesome attacking line-up has outclassed every opponent so far, including an excellent Morocco in the quarter-finals.
So this showdown between two outstanding international teams is devilishly difficult to call, and it is entirely feasible that the two familiar rivals — who met in the semis of the Euros two years ago — could scrap out a classic that could go all the way to penalties.
Both will be more than aware of each other's significant strengths and the level of talent on show means we will surely see goals at both ends, with an exciting, attacking spectacle playing out at Dallas Stadium.
France have clicked into top gear nicely, relying on the brilliance of Michael Olise, Ousmane Demble and, of course, eight-goal Kylian Mbappe, while Spain have barely had to get out of second gear across the whole tournament.
The feeling is it will be mightily tight, but a fractionally superior France will just about do it in the end.
France vs Spain Team news
Mbappe had to be substituted in the second half of France's quarter-final win over Morocco but the in-form striker is expected to shake off his minor ankle issue to start.
Manu Kone suffered a reported knee injury in the last-eight tie, but he, too, should be fit. Aurelien Tchouameni has been out with a thigh injury but it is thought the midfielder is close to making a comeback so he is another option for Deschamps.
Bradley Barcola could be recalled by Les Bleus, in place of Desire Doue, but Deschamps will keep unenforced changes to a minimum.
Spain boss Luis de la Fuente has Mikel Merino, Ferran Torres and fit-again pair Nico Williams and Yeremy Pino all pushing for starts, with Arsenal man Merino, in particular, an attractive selection prospect considering he has scored priceless winners in the last two rounds against Portugal and Belgium.
Mikel Oyarzabal's four goals at this World Cup means he should retain his place, while young star Lamine Yamal has proved to be over his fitness issues in recent games and is also expected to start again for La Roja.
Predicted Team Line‑Ups:
France (4-3-2-1): Mike Maignan; Jules Kounde, Dayot Upamecano, William Saliba, Lucas Digne; Manu Kone, Adrien Rabiot; Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise, Bradley Barcola, Kylian Mbappe.
Spain (4-2-3-1): Unai Simon; Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsi, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella; Rodri, Mikel Merino; Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Ferran Torres; Mikel Oyarzabal.
Stats
France have won 11 of their last 12 games
Les Bleus only setback in that run was a 2-1 pre-tournament friendly loss to Ivory Coast
France have scored 16 goals in their six games so far in World Cup 2026, conceding just two
Spain have hit 11 goals in their six matches, only conceding once
France have reached the last four for the third successive World Cup
This is only the second time Spain have got to the semi-final stage - the other came in 2010 when they won the World Cup in South Africa
This will be the fifth meeting between the countries in the last decade, with Spain winning three of the last four
Spain were 2-1 winners in the Euro 2024 semi-finals
Score Prediction: France 3-2 Spain
The latest France vs Spain odds are available on LiveScore Bet
