​The 2026 World Cup has reached its most explosive phase, and the sports front pages on Friday, July 10, mirror the immense anticipation surrounding the tournament. With France already advancing to the semifinals after a 2-0 victory over Morocco, all eyes are now fixed on the high-stakes quarterfinal matchup between Spain and Belgium. Newsstands across Europe and the Americas buzz with talk of a fixture many believe could go down in the history books.
MARCA leads with an exclusive focus on Dani Olmo and a bold headline: “We are title contenders,” underscoring Luis de la Fuente’s aim to guide Spain to a World Cup semifinal for only the second time in the nation’s history. Meanwhile, AS showcases the national flag emblazoned on its front page alongside the slogan “Spain’s Time,” urging a gala lineup to challenge the Belgian “wall.” From Barcelona, Sport cuts straight to the point with “Today is Your Day,” centering on Lamine Yamal’s audacity as the key to cracking the quarterfinal barrier.
Across the Pyrenees, L’Equipe salutes France’s triumph with an all-encompassing front page shout: “À cœur joie” (With Joy from the Heart), marking a third consecutive semifinal for Didier Deschamps’ side, boosted by the extraordinary form of Kylian Mbappé. In the United States, The Washington Post lauds the leadership of the Real Madrid star with the headline “Forging Ahead,” while also analyzing the resilience of Norwegian supporters throughout the tournament’s journey.
The day’s most provocative note comes from South America. The Argentine daily Olé, known for its provocative stance, teases fate with a headline many readers are already labeling a historic jinx: “They are Already Champions.” Following France’s progression to the next round, Olé seems to take the French title for granted even before the semifinals unfold, a bold stance that has sparked a surge of social media debate and added extra spice to the closing stages of what is arguably the world’s most watched competition.
This article was translated into English by artificial intelligence. You can read the original version in Spanish here.