France and Spain Meet in World Cup Semi-Final in Dallas

France and Spain will play each other in a World Cup semi-final on 14 July 2026 in Dallas. The winner advances to the final scheduled for 19 July in New Jersey. France reached the match as 2018 champions and seek a third successive final appearance.

Spain, the 2010 winners and current European champions, aim to become only the fourth team to hold both world and European titles at once. Kylian Mbappe has scored eight goals in six games at the tournament and leads the Golden Boot race alongside Lionel Messi. He has recorded 11 goal contributions, more than any other player, and now holds 19 World Cup goals, one behind Messi's record of 20.

Mbappe also overtook Olivier Giroud as France's all-time leading scorer with 64 goals in 104 appearances. "For me it's just ambition and confidence," former teammate Olivier Giroud said. "He knows where he wants to go.

Lamine Yamal turned 19 on 13 July 2026. He has scored one goal in five starts at the tournament, including the opener against Saudi Arabia that made him the second player aged 18 or younger to score first in a World Cup match after Pele. Spain manager Luis de la Fuente said, "This is the moment for him.

Mbappe has scored nine goals in the 10 previous meetings between the two players, while Yamal has scored six. Yamal has been on the winning side in eight of those encounters. France defeated Spain 3-1 in their only prior World Cup meeting, in the last 16 in 2006.