Dallas hosts France and Spain in 2026 World Cup semifinal showdown
France and Spain Prepare for Semifinal Clash
France and Spain are set to compete in the 2026 World Cup semifinals in Dallas today. Both teams have demonstrated strong performances throughout the tournament, with France advancing due to their high-scoring offense and Spain relying on late goals from Mikel Merino in their last two matches.
This semifinal marks the first time that FIFA‘s top four teams have all reached this stage, and it is the first time since 1990 that the final four consists entirely of previous World Cup winners. The match is anticipated to be a compelling clash of styles, pitting France’s attacking flair against Spain’s possession-focused play and robust defense.
The game kicks off at 3 p.m. ET. Fans in the US can watch the match on FOX, FOX One, Telemundo, and Peacock. International viewers have various options, including ITV1 and ITVX in the UK, M6 in France, and La 1 and RTVE Play in Spain.
Team Lineups and Key Players
For France, coach Didier Deschamps has made changes to his starting XI, with Aurélien Tchouameni and Bradley Barcola joining the lineup. The French squad will feature Kylian Mbappé, who leads the Golden Boot standings with eight goals, and Michael Olise, who has five assists in the tournament.
France’s starting lineup is as follows:
- Goalkeeper: Mike Maignan
- Defenders: Jules Kounde, Dayot Upamecano, William Saliba, Lucas Digne
- Midfielders: Aurélien Tchouameni, Adrien Rabiot
- Forwards: Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise, Bradley Barcola, Kylian Mbappé
Spain’s coach, Luis de la Fuente, has opted for an unchanged lineup from their quarter-final match. De la Fuente has a unique coaching background, having worked with many of his current players during their time in Spain’s youth teams from 2013-2022.
Spain’s starting lineup includes:
- Goalkeeper: Unai Simon
- Defenders: Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsí, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella
- Midfielders: Rodri, Fabián Ruiz
- Forwards: Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Alex Baena, Mikel Oyarzabal
One of the key matchups to watch will be between France’s Mbappé and Spain’s Lamine Yamal. Yamal, who turned 19 yesterday, has scored one goal and has no assists in the tournament so far. Despite this, his coach, Luis de la Fuente, has encouraged him to remain calm and enjoy the game.
Yamal himself expressed confidence, stating, “I’m not concerned about scoring or not scoring. I won the European Championship scoring just one goal. If we win the World Cup, I don’t think anyone in this room is going to tell me, ‘You didn’t score.’ We’ve won, and that’s what matters. As long as we keep advancing, I’ll be very happy.”
Match Officials and Venue Details
The referee for today’s semifinal will be Ivan Barton from El Salvador. Barton has been a subject of discussion in CONCACAF circles, with some observers expressing surprise at his appointment for a World Cup semifinal.
The match is being held at AT&T Stadium outside Dallas. This venue, along with SoFi Stadium near Los Angeles, shares similarities in being located outside city centers, which some suggest might diminish the fan experience compared to downtown venues in other host cities like Atlanta and Seattle. The final of the World Cup will be held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19.
The semifinal is particularly significant for France, as it falls on Bastille Day, and the team aims to reach its third consecutive World Cup final. Coach Deschamps has confirmed he will depart after the tournament, regardless of the outcome.
Spain, who last lifted the World Cup trophy in 2010, will be looking to overcome France to secure their place in the final. The winner of this match will face either England or Argentina in the final on July 19.
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Source: nytimes.com
