​France will meet Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-finals. The clash is set for Bastille Day—Tuesday, July 14—at Arlington’s AT&T Stadium, kicking off at 9 p.m. CET. France earned their spot in the final four with a commanding 2-0 victory over Morocco, while Spain advanced by defeating the Netherlands in the quarter-finals, sealing their place in the last four after a dramatic scoreline at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Friday night.
In the quarter-final, a goal from Fabian Ruiz for Spain opened the scoring around the 30th minute, but France were not ahead for long as Charles de Ketelaere leveled proceedings. The Atalanta Bergamo striker proved to be the Spaniards’ first blemish in this World Cup by finding the back of the net, mirroring a contribution he had made against Portugal in the prior round. The decisive moment arrived late as Mikel Merino netted the winner in the final moments, capitalizing on a costly error by Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens.
This marks the third consecutive tournament in which France and Spain have been drawn together in the knockout stages, reinforcing a storied rivalry at the business end of major competitions. During the 2024 UEFA European Championship campaign, Spain snatched a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory against Les Bleus in Munich, with Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo cancelling out Randal Kolo Muani’s early opener to snatch the win for Spain. Their most recent meeting prior to the World Cup fixture was a high-scoring Nations League classic, which Spain edged 5-4 after a thrilling display that featured a flurry of goals from both sides.
As the two footballing powerhouses prepare to lock horns again, the stakes are high. France will be looking to leverage home support and their recent form as they chase a place in the World Cup final for the second time in a row, while Spain will aim to extend their own run of success against their old rivals, continuing a pattern of dramatic, decisive encounters that have defined their clashes over the past few years. The match promises to be a tactical and technical showcase, with both sides boasting attacking talent and a strong sense of occasion as they navigate the road to lifting the World Cup trophy.