One Final Challenge on the Road to Our Dream

France and Spain meet in the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in a showdown between two of European football's great powers. Both sides arrive in outstanding form, making this one of the most eagerly anticipated fixtures of the tournament. The teams have met 38 times, with Spain holding the advantage: 18 victories to France's 13.

If there is one team that has learned how to overcome France on the biggest stages, it is Spain. La Roja take confidence from their most recent meetings: a thrilling 2-1 victory in the UEFA EURO 2024 semi-finals and the unforgettable 5-4 triumph in the 2025 UEFA Nations League. France, meanwhile, will draw motivation from their 2021 UEFA Nations League Final victory and, above all, their 3-1 win over Spain in the sides' only previous FIFA World Cup meeting, at Germany 2006.

This will be only the second World Cup meeting between Spain and France.

France have reached the semi-finals in impressive fashion. They topped their group with victories over Senegal (3-1), Iraq (3-0) and Norway (4-1), before comfortably defeating Sweden (3-0) in the round of 16. They then edged past Paraguay (1-0) in a demanding quarter-final before reinforcing their title credentials with a 2-0 victory over Morocco.

Spain have been equally convincing—and arrive unbeaten, with a tournament record clean-sheet streak still intact. Luis de la Fuente's side topped their group without conceding a goal after drawing 0-0 with Cape Verde, defeating Saudi Arabia 4-0 and overcoming Uruguay 1-0. They then dispatched Austria 3-0 in the round of 16, edged past Portugal 1-0 in a fiercely contested Iberian derby and booked their place in the last four with a 2-1 victory over Belgium, sealed by yet another dramatic late goal from Mikel Merino.

This will be Spain's second match at Dallas Stadium after defeating Austria there in the round of 16.

Luis de la Fuente's team once again rely on their collective strength.

"We'll give everything to reach the final," the Spain head coach said ahead of the match.

That unity, combined with the fearless attitude of a new generation of players led by Lamine Yamal, has been one of Spain's defining features throughout the tournament. The No. 19, who celebrated his 19th birthday on the eve of the match, said he was "very calm" and that "it will be a very special day." Yamal has already scored three goals against France in his career—one at EURO 2024 and two in the UEFA Nations League.

Iván Barton will referee the match.

For Spain, this is a historic opportunity. Sixteen years after their memorable run to World Cup glory in South Africa, La Roja are back in the semi-finals, once again among the four best teams in the world. Now, Luis de la Fuente's side stand just one victory away from another World Cup final and the chance to fight for a second star.