DALLAS, Texas — Two of European football’s traditional powerhouses will collide on Tuesday when France and Spain meet in the semifinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 3:00 p.m. local time.
The highly anticipated encounter will feature two teams in outstanding form, each seeking a place in the World Cup final after impressive runs through the knockout stages.
France enters the semifinal riding a five-match winning streak. Didier Deschamps’ side advanced to the last four with a convincing 2-0 victory over Morocco in the quarterfinals after defeating Paraguay 1-0 in the Round of 16. Les Bleus also enjoyed a dominant group stage, beating Sweden 3-0, Norway 4-1, and Iraq 3-0 to emerge as one of the tournament’s most consistent teams.
Spain also arrives in Dallas with confidence, having displayed its trademark possession-based football throughout the tournament. The Spaniards will be aiming to continue their recent success against France in major international competitions.
Recent history favors Spain. La Roja defeated France 5-4 in the semifinals of the 2025 UEFA Nations League before eliminating Les Bleus again with a 2-1 victory in the semifinals of UEFA Euro 2024. France’s most recent victory over Spain came in the 2021 UEFA Nations League final, when it claimed a 2-1 win in Milan.
Overall, the two nations have met nine times in recent years, with Spain winning three matches, France winning one, and five encounters ending in draws, highlighting how evenly matched the rivalry has been.
Tuesday’s semifinal promises to showcase some of the world’s finest football talent, with France relying on its pace, athleticism, and clinical finishing, while Spain looks to control possession and dictate the tempo through its technical midfield.
The winner will advance to the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final, moving one step closer to lifting football’s most prestigious trophy. The losing side will see its championship aspirations come to an end after what has been an impressive campaign.
With recent history, world-class talent, and a place in the final at stake, fans can expect another memorable chapter in one of international football’s premier rivalries when France and Spain take the field in Dallas on Tuesday afternoon.