France – Spain, semi-finals of the World Cup: prediction, Mbappe-Yamal, place, statistics | News of the World Cup-2026
The first semi-final of World Cup 2026 features Spain and France, two of the highest-ranked teams in Europe and one of the hottest rivalries in world football.
The battle between the pre-tournament favorites is for many fans the most anticipated match of the month-long World Cup, which has seen drama both on and off the pitch.
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Tuesday’s clash in Dallas is extra special as it features two of football’s greatest talents: Kylian Mbappe and Lamin Yamal.
Mbappe and Yamal have faced each other several times in La Liga’s El Clasico, the famous derby between rival clubs Real Madrid and Barcelona. But this time the stage is much bigger, and so is the prize with the winner fulfilling every footballer’s dream of playing in the World Cup final.
Here’s everything you need to know about the France vs Spain match:
What is the prediction to win the France vs Spain match?
As of Sunday, Opta’s supercomputer gives France a 42.1 percent chance of winning in regulation time, while Spain have a 31.8 percent chance of winning.
The model estimates a 26.1 percent chance of the game going into overtime.
Where will the Spain-France semi-final be held?
The first semi-final will take place in Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, which holds 70,649 for this tournament.
This is the last of the nine game days at the venue – the largest at this year’s World Cup, which takes place in 16 cities.
France vs Spain: Head to head
France and Spain are familiar foes and have faced each other 38 times.
Spain, with 18 victories, leads the personal standings. France have won 13 times, with seven matches ending in a draw.
Their last meeting came just over a year ago, in the semi-finals of the 2025 UEFA Nations League, when Spain beat France 5-4 in a thrilling contest, Yamal’s brace putting them ahead.
France vs Spain: Last 5 Matches
- Spain 5-4 France (2025 UEFA Nations League semi-final)
- Spain 2-1 France (Euro 2024 semi-final)
- Spain 1-2 France (UEFA Nations League Final 2021)
- France 0-2 Spain (International friendly game, 2017)
- France 1-0 Spain (friendly match, 2014)
Have France and Spain ever played in the World Cup?
At the FIFA World Cup, France and Spain met each other only once.
It dates back to the 2006 edition, when France beat Spain 3-1 in the last 16 competition thanks to goals from Franco Ribery, Patrick Vieira and the iconic Zinedine Zidane.
France vs Spain at the Euros
The two deadly forces of European football, France and Spain, have met five times at the European Championship. Both have won two meetings and one ended in a draw.
Their last UEFA Euro meeting came in 2024, when Spain beat France 2-1 in the semi-finals, with Yamal and Dani Olmo scoring the winning goals.
France and Spain: trophies, medals
- World championships: France (1998, 2018), Spain (2010)
- euro: France (1984, 2000), Spain (1964, 2008, 2012, 2024)
- Olympic gold: France (1984), Spain (1992, 2024)
Who are France’s key players?
Mbappe is arguably France’s most lethal goalscoring weapon at the tournament, boasting eight goals and three assists to lead the race for the Golden Boot.
Ousmane Dembele (five goals) and Michael Olisset (five assists) were also dynamic in attack.
Who are Spain’s key players?
Underrated Real Sociedad striker Mikel Ayarzabal was Spain’s top scorer at the tournament with four goals.
Mikel Moreno (two goals) and Marc Cucurella (two assists) have also made an impact, while Yamal is slowly finding his feet, registering one goal so far.
France: Strength and Weakness
France’s strength lies in their very potent and enviable attack featuring the trio of Bradley Barkola, Dembele and Olisse, led by main striker Mbappe.
France showed some defensive shortcomings in the group stage – conceding to Senegal and Norway – but they have since kept a clean sheet in all three of their knockout games.
Spain: strength and weakness
For all their brilliant attacking qualities, it is their strong defense that is Spain’s strength. Spain have conceded just one goal in five matches and that was against Belgium in the quarter-finals.
In attack, the team looked – for a long time – lethargic and uncreative and has yet to kick into full gear.
They needed late goals from substitute Merino to win their last two competitions by knockout, while their usual hero Yamal, who came into the World Cup injured, has yet to show his full potential – the one that led Spain to success at Euro 2024.
