France vs Spain: World Cup 2026 semi-final date, kick-off time and what's at stake
France vs Spain kicks off July 14 at 8pm Lisbon time in Dallas. The Euro 2024 rematch decides who reaches the World Cup 2026 final.
The first heavyweight semi-final is set: France vs Spain, Tuesday, in Dallas. Two years after Spain ended French hopes in the Euro 2024 semis, the rematch arrives on an even bigger stage — with a place in the July 19 final at New York/New Jersey on the line.
When is France vs Spain and what time is kick-off?
The match is on Tuesday, July 14, at 8pm Lisbon time (2pm local) at Dallas Stadium in Texas. The official match page is on the FIFA website.
How do the two teams arrive?
France arrive like a steamroller: not a single goal conceded in the entire knockout stage — 3-0 over Sweden, 1-0 over Paraguay, 2-0 over Morocco — with Mbappé on eight goals for the tournament. Spain’s route has been less flashy but just as stubborn, win after win by a single goal, most recently beating Belgium 2-1 thanks to yet another late Merino strike.
The matchup inside the matchup sells itself: Mbappé against Lamine Yamal, the two faces of the rivalry international football inherited from Barcelona vs Real Madrid. There is a record within reach too — Michael Olise has six assists at this World Cup; one more ties Pelé’s all-time mark for a single edition.
Is this really a Euro 2024 rematch?
That is the extra spice. In 2024, Spain knocked France out in the semi-finals (2-1) on the way to the European title. The French have not forgotten; the Spanish insist the recipe still works. Whoever advances meets the winner of the other side of the bracket — which closes tonight, with everything tracked in our daily World Cup hub.
By Vasco Almada
Image: Bryan Berlin / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)