France vs Spain: Mbappe and Yamal Headline a Bastille Day Semifinal

Updated 12 July 2026. Image AI-generated for illustrative purposes.

France vs Spain: France are narrow favourites over Spain in a Bastille Day FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinal that doubles as a rematch of last year’s UEFA Nations League final, which Spain won 5-4. Both sides arrive unbeaten, both have scored freely, and both survived a scare in the quarterfinal, Spain conceding their first goal of the tournament against Belgium. Kickoff is 2:00 pm CT (3:00 pm ET) at AT&T Stadium, Arlington.

Team News: Tchouameni a Doubt, Spain’s Winger Options Thin

France have a fitness question in midfield rather than an attacking one. Kylian Mbappe took a knock to his ankle in the win over Morocco but called himself “completely fine” afterwards and should start. Aurelien Tchouameni has missed France’s last two matches with a muscle issue picked up in training on July 3, and while he is listed with a possible return for the semifinal, his fitness is not confirmed. Manu Kone was withdrawn late against Morocco as a precaution over a minor knee complaint and fatigue but should be available. France have no suspensions, with yellow cards wiped ahead of the last four.

Spain’s problem is on the wings. Yeremy Pino, Nico Williams and Victor Munoz are all unavailable through injury, stripping Luis de la Fuente of his first-choice width. The good news is Lamine Yamal, who has been managing his own knock since the Round of 16, looked sharper in the quarterfinal win over Belgium and was named Man of the Match despite not scoring, a strong sign he is nearing full fitness for the semifinal.

Past Meetings: 38 Games, One Recent Classic

France and Spain have met 38 times since 1922, most famously in the 1984 UEFA Euro final, which host France won 2-0, and at the 2006 FIFA World Cup Round of 16, where France won 3-1. Neither side has beaten the other at a men’s World Cup outside that single 2006 meeting, so Tuesday’s semifinal is only their second World Cup collision in tournament history. The most recent meeting looms larger than either: Spain won a five-goal thriller 5-4 in the semifinal of the 2025 UEFA Nations League Finals, the kind of result that suggests goals are likely again whenever these two heavyweights meet.

France vs Spain Preview: France Edge It, but Not by Much

This is the toughest match to call of the four quarterfinal winners. France have not needed extra time all tournament and have Kylian Mbappe playing some of the best football of his World Cup career, while Spain’s clean sheet run only just ended and their squad depth, even without three senior wingers, is arguably the deepest left in the competition. The head-to-head favours Spain, who beat France only ten months ago, but that was a Nations League semifinal rather than a World Cup knockout tie with everything on the line. France’s slight edge in firepower and a fully fit Mbappe should be enough to nose it, most likely by a single goal, though a repeat of last year’s five-goal shootout would not shock anyone who has watched either side this month. This is a genuine coin flip dressed up as a lean, not a lock either way.

Frequently Asked Questions

Have France and Spain played at a World Cup before?

Yes, once. France beat Spain 3-1 in the Round of 16 at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, their only previous men’s World Cup meeting before this semifinal.

Who won the last France vs Spain match?

Spain won 5-4 in the semifinal of the 2025 UEFA Nations League Finals, their most recent meeting before the FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinal.

Is Aurelien Tchouameni playing for France against Spain?

He is a doubt. Tchouameni has missed France’s last two matches with a muscle issue and has a possible return date of July 14, but his fitness is not yet confirmed.

Sources: Wikipedia fixture record and ESPN team news report.