​France’s opponents in the Semi-finals at the 2026 FIFA World Cup are Spain. We look at the players that comprise their squad.Unai SimónDOB: 11 June 1997Club: Athletic ClubPosition: GoalkeeperOne of Luis de la Fuente’s biggest achievements has been the consistency in goal – despite not being so sure about Simón at youth level. Antonio Sivera got the nod in the first game of the 2019 Under-21 Euros, which Spain lost to Italy. Simón started the next few games as De la Fuente’s side went on to win the trophy. There have been few doubts at senior level. Simón saved two penalties in the shootout victory over Croatia in the 2023 Nations League final. “I’m especially pleased for Unai, who has been mistreated for a long time. I hope people recognise how valuable he is,” De la Fuente said at the time. Simón was between the posts the following summer when Spain won Euro 2024, playing through the pain after rupturing a ligament in his wrist. For the moment he’s still the No 1 despite the rise of David Raya and Joan García.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDavid RayaDOB: 15 September 1995Club: ArsenalPosition: GoalkeeperFrom futsal to the World Cup via England’s lower leagues, Raya’s career is unlike any other. After starting out as an outfield player in futsal he became a goalkeeper during his time in Cornellá’s academy in Barcelona. Then came the move to England aged 17. Perhaps unsurprisingly he is the first player to be called up by Spain who has won two promotions in the EFL, first from League One to the Championship with Blackburn and then to the Premier League with Brentford. At Arsenal he has established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the world – as quick-thinking with his feet as he is with his unusually large hands. On his left shinpad he has a picture of his international debut with Spain in 2022, passing the ball with his feet of course. Unai Simón has a fight on his hands.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementJoan GarcíaDOB: 4 May 2001Club: BarcelonaPosition: GoalkeeperGarcía has become one of the standout goalkeepers in La Liga. After making a name for himself in a relegation battle with Espanyol, the Catalan signed for neighbours Barcelona. The sporting director, Deco, had no qualms in paying the €25m release clause for one of the most highly-rated goalkeepers in Europe. But García did not come to Barcelona to be backup to Marc-André ter Stegen – the opposite. He felt he was destined to be No 1 for Barcelona and Spain in the years to come. After missing out in the autumn international breaks, the 25-year-old was handed a call-up by Luis de la Fuente in March and his first cap came at Espanyol’s home ground, although he was whistled by some members of the crowd for his move across town to Barcelona.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAymeric LaporteDOB: 27 May 1994Club: Athletic ClubPosition: Centre-back“Playing for Spain has been the best thing to happen to me in my career,” Lapo