France vs Spain – 14 Jul 2026

France vs Spain - World Cup Preview
France go into this semi-final as slight favourites, but recent history favours Spain — de la Fuente's side beat Les Bleus in both of their last two knockout meetings (Euro 2024 semi-final and the 2025 Nations League final). That head-to-head record adds an extra layer of intrigue to what's already a mouth-watering tie.

France's attacking threat remains their biggest weapon. Kylian Mbappé is expected to start after avoiding a serious injury from a heavy blow in the quarter-final win over Morocco, with Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise offering further quality in the final third. Aurélien Tchouaméni also looks set to return in midfield after recovering from a thigh issue, which should help France control the tempo against Spain's press.

Spain, meanwhile, bring their usual possession-heavy approach, built around the young talents of Lamin Yamal and Nico Williams on the flanks. Their conversion rate hasn't always matched their dominance of the ball, but their bench impact — particularly Mikel Merino, who's already had a say in two knockout games — makes them dangerous late on.

Prediction: Given the tight margins in their recent meetings, this looks like another close encounter. A draw inside 90 minutes wouldn't be a surprise, with the Draw offering solid value given how competitive this fixture has become in the last two editions. If forced to pick a winner, France's attacking depth edges it — but only marginally.