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The first semifinal of FIFA World Cup 2026 it features Spain and France, two of Europe’s top sides and one of the biggest rivalries in world football.
The pre-tournament battle between the favorites is one of the most anticipated of the World Cup month, which has seen drama on and off the pitch.
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Tuesday’s clash in Dallas is very special as two leading players share the stage: Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal.
Mbappe and Yamal have met several times in La Liga’s El Clasico, the famous derby between rival teams Real Madrid and Barcelona. But this time, the stage is even bigger and the prize is the winner fulfilling the dream of every footballer playing in the World Cup final.
Here’s everything you need to know about France vs Spain:
What is the best France vs Spain prediction?
As of Sunday, Opta’s supercomputers give France a 42.1% chance of winning in regulation time, while Spain’s chance of winning is 31.8%.
The model estimates a 26.1 percent chance that the game will go to overtime.
Where will the Spain-France semifinal be played?
The first semifinal will be held on Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, which has a capacity of 70,649 for the tournament.
It’s the last of nine match days at the venue – the most of this year’s World Cup, which is being held in 16 cities.
France vs Spain: Victory
France and Spain are familiar rivals and have met 38 times.
Spain are at the top of their record with 18 wins. France have won 13 times, with seven matches ending in a draw.
Their last meeting was more than a year ago, in the 2025 UEFA Nations League final, when Spain defeated France 5-4 in a thrilling contest, with Yamal scoring.
France vs Spain: Last 5 matches
- Spain 5-4 France (UEFA Nations League 2025 semifinals)
- Spain 2-1 France (UEFA Euro 2024 semifinals)
- Spain 1-2 France (UEFA Nations League 2021 final)
- France 0-2 Spain (International, 2017)
- France 1-0 Spain (International Friendly, 2014)
Have France and Spain ever played in the World Cup?
France and Spain have met only once at the FIFA World Cup.
It started again at the 2006 edition, when France beat Spain 3-1 in the last 16 thanks to goals from Franck Ribery, Patrick Vieira and the legendary Zinedine Zidane.
France vs Spain at the Euros
Two of the most dangerous teams in European football, France and Spain, have met five times in European competitions. They have won two games each, one of which ended in a tie.
Their last UEFA Euro meeting took place in 2024, when Spain beat France 2-1 in the finals, with Yamal and Dani Olmo scoring the winners.
France and Spain: Cups, medals
- World CupsFrance (1998, 2018), Spain (2010)
- Euros: France (1984, 2000), Spain (1964, 2008, 2012, 2024)
- Olympic gold: France (1984), Spain (1992, 2024)
Who are the main French players?
Mbappe has, by far, been France’s most lethal weapon at the tournament, boasting eight goals and three assists to lead the race for the Golden Boot.
Ousmane Dembele (five goals) and Michael Olise (five assists) have also been strong in attack.
Who are the main Spanish players?
Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Oyarzabal, with four goals, is Spain’s top scorer in the tournament.
Mikel Moreno (two goals) and Marc Cucurella (two assists) have also been strong, while Yamal is slowly finding his feet, having registered one goal so far.
France: Strength and weakness
France’s strength lies in their dynamic and exciting attack featuring the trio of Bradley Barcola, Dembele and Olise, led by their main striker, Mbappe.
In the group, France showed defensive weaknesses – defeats against Senegal and Norway – but have kept clean sheets in all three knockout games since then.
Spain: Strengths and weaknesses
For all their attacking brilliance, their strong defense is Spain’s strength. Spain has scored one goal in five games, and was against Belgium in the quarterfinals.
In attack, the team looked – by extension – sluggish and unproductive and still not in top gear.
They needed late goals from substitute Merino to win their last two tournaments, while their all-time hero Yamal, who entered the World Cup injured, has yet to show his full potential – leading Spain to qualify for Euro 2024.
