France vs Spain Prediction, Preview, Team News and Expected Lineups

For the first time in FIFA World Cup history, a total of 48 teams participated. Now, four teams – France, Spain, Argentina, and England- are eyeing a final berth. Kylian Mbappe-led France will take on Spain in the first semi-final clash at the FIFA World Cup 2026.

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France has looked sharp from the start, and Spain has settled into the tournament too. Spain’s biggest strength is control, they’re brilliant on the ball and their players seem to read each other’s minds even without it. But their major concern is defense, while France’s attack has been unstoppable when it gets going.

France is chasing a third straight World Cup final. They won it all in 2018 and were part of one of the most dramatic finals ever last time around. Spain has defeated France the last two times they faced each other, including a 2-1 win in the Euro 2024 semifinal. Back then, France looked flat and out of ideas, and it felt like Spain had taken over as Europe’s top team.

Their manager’s team beat Morocco 2-0 in the quarterfinals without even needing to push hard, which is a scary sign for opponents. Spain’s road here was a bit bumpier- Belgium gave them trouble before Mikel Merino capitalized on a mistake by goalkeeper Senne Lammens to send Spain through to the semifinals.

Quick Match Details

Tournament: FIFA World Cup 2026

Stage: Semi-finals

Date: July 14

Kick-off Time: 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. BST & 12:30 a.m. IST (July 15)

Venue: MT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas, United States

France vs Spain: Match Preview and Current Form

France

France have long been among the elite in world football, and now they’re chasing something only Germany and Brazil have managed before three straight World Cup finals.

It’s been a perfect World Cup for France as they have registered six wins in a row, top of Group I, then wins over Sweden, Paraguay and Morocco, with 16 goals scored along the way. France had to work hard again against Morocco in Boston. They missed chances, which also included a Mbappe penalty, but their captain made up for it with a great goal followed by a goal from Dembele to seal the victory.

Their front four Mbappe, Dembele, Olise, and either Barcola or Doue have been breaking down defenses all tournament. And Deschamps, usually so cautious, seems to be letting his team play with more freedom in what’s his last World Cup in charge after 14 years at the helm. He already captained France to glory in 1998, and he’s now set to take charge of his 26th World Cup match more than any manager in history.

France have reached the final in each of their last four World Cup semis, winning the last three without conceding once. And in their only previous World Cup meeting with Spain, over 20 years ago, France came from behind to win 3-1.

World Cup form: W-W-W-W-W-W

Spain

Spain, though, have the recent edge as they won seven of the last ten meetings between the sides. The two most recent ones stand out: a 2-1 win at Euro 2024 (a tournament they went on to win), and a wild 5-4 win at last year’s Nations League finals. Mbappe scored from the spot in that game, but Yamal’s brace and a Merino goal saw Spain through.

Merino’s been Spain’s super-sub story of this World Cup too, he’s now the first player ever to score knockout-stage winners off the bench in two different games, doing it again against Belgium in the quarterfinal after Unai Simon’s clean-sheet streak finally ended.

Spain topped Group H, cruised past Austria, then knocked out Portugal thanks to more Merino magic. Now they’re through to just their second-ever World Cup semifinal, their first since winning it all in South Africa 16 years ago.

Since 2018, Spain has lost just once in 27 major tournament games, and they’re unbeaten in their last 14 with nine clean sheets. De la Fuente, once a little-known youth coach, has won 12 of his 13 games in charge, setting up a fascinating contrast with the far more experienced Deschamps.

World Cup form: D-W-W-W-W-W

France vs Spain: Team News and Injury Updates

France

Mbappe was substituted in the second half of France’s quarterfinal clash against Morocco, but that was just a minor ankle sprain, and he should be fine to start. Manu Kone also came off with a knee problem, though that looked like a precaution more than anything serious. That means he’ll be competing with Aurelien Tchouameni for a starting spot, now that Tchouameni’s back from his own thigh injury.

Mbappe already has eight goals and is in the running for the Golden Boot. He’ll link up again with Dembele, the reigning Ballon d’Or winner, the two have combined to create 19 chances for each other this tournament alone.

Spain

Spain’s attack isn’t fully settled either. Mikel Oyarzabal has four goals so far and looks likely to lead the line, but Ferran Torres, plus the now-fit Nico Williams and Yeremy Pino, are all knocking on the door for a spot in the squad.

In midfield, Merino and Pedri both have strong cases to start, which pushes Fabian Ruiz and Dani Olmo further down the pecking order.

Yamal hasn’t quite hit the heights of his Euro 2024 form yet, but he’s still a guaranteed starter on the right wing. He’ll be playing alongside Pedro Porro, who looks to have edged out Marcos Llorente for the right-back spot.