France meet Spain on 14 July at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, with kick off around 3pm ET and the winner going through to the 19 July final in New York/New Jersey.
France are chasing a third consecutive World Cup final appearance, having reached the decisive stage in both 2018 and 2022, whereas Spain haven't been in a final since winning the whole thing in 2010. The defensive records are extraordinary: France have conceded just two goals across six matches, keeping clean sheets in all three knockout ties, while Spain have let in only one across their six games.
Didier Deschamps, in his 14th and final year as France manager, has built a side defined by that defensive record. Luis de la Fuente has gone 12 wins from 13 with Spain heading into the semi-finals, running a possession based system built on recycling the ball through Rodri and Pedri until space opens.
France have won all six of their matches, beating Senegal, Iraq and Norway in the group stage before knocking out Sweden in the round of 32, beating Paraguay 1-0 in the round of 16 and winning 2-0 against Morocco in the quarter-finals, with Mbappé and Dembélé on the scoresheet. Spain also went six from six despite a goalless draw with Cabo Verde in the group stage, beating Saudi Arabia, Uruguay and Austria before claiming late victories over Portugal in the round of 16 and Belgium 2-1 in the quarter-finals, both through substitute Mikel Merino.
Neither side has suspension issues, though France carry a few fitness concerns going in. Mbappé picked up a minor ankle knock after the Morocco win but is expected to start, while Aurélien Tchouaméni is managing a thigh problem and Marcus Thuram a calf issue. Spain welcome back Lamine Yamal after an earlier fitness scare and Nico Williams came off the bench against Belgium and will push for a start. France look set for a 4-2-3-1 and Spain their familiar 4-3-3.
France under Deschamps have defended in a low block all tournament, conceding twice in six games and the question is whether Spain can find a way through. Spain want the ball and use Rodri and Pedri to build through midfield until gaps appear, with Olise (five assists in the tournament) trying to exploit space behind Spain's press alongside Dembélé. Mbappé against Pedro Porro is the defining battle on the right flank and Spain still have Merino waiting if they need a late goal, which has already proved decisive twice.
France beat Spain 3-1 in the 2006 World Cup round of 16 but recent history leans Spain's way: they beat France 2-1 in the Euro 2024 semi-final through Yamal and Dani Olmo and edged them 5-4 in the 2025 Nations League semi-final.
This is the tightest match of the tournament. France's defensive record and Mbappé's eight goals give them a case but Spain have won the last two knockout meetings between these sides and Yamal is capable of something unpredictable at any moment. The likeliest path to goals runs through a Mbappé counter on the break or Yamal given space wide, most probably in extra time. Prediction: 2-2.
Ryan Baldi
Football Writer
Ryan Baldi is a professional football writer with years of experience and has been featured by respected outlets such as the BBC, The Guardian, Sky Sports, DAZN, FourFourTwo, ESPN, Yahoo Sport and Football365. He has also written several books including Arsène Who?.
