France
World CupWhy this tip?
We predicted France to win their quarter-final tie with Morocco, and I see this fixture ending any other way. Spain has a good side and does not concede easily, but France is the team to beat, and unless they have an off day, I do not see them losing any match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Les Bleus should claim a hard-fought 2 – 1 win and reach their third consecutive FIFA World Cup Final.
Match Preview
- Competition: FIFA World Cup 2026
- Matchday: Semi-final
- Date: 14 July 2026
- Kick-off time: 14:00 USA (21:00 SA)
- Venue: Dallas Stadium (AT&T Stadium)
Match details
France and Spain continue their heated rivalry in the first semi-final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup hosted in Mexico, Canada and the USA. The match is set to take place on the 14th of July 2026 at the Dallas Stadium (AT&T Stadium) in Arlington, Texas, commencing at 14:00 (GMT-5) in Arlington and at 21:00 (GMT+2) in South Africa. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is coming to a close, and if you want more of our expert coverage of the final games at the World Cup, head over to our Topbets World Cup predictions page.
Why this match matters
France takes on the Euro champions, Spain, in the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup for a spot in the final at the New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium). Both teams are undefeated and have only conceded three goals between them in the World Cup thus far. This is the farthest Spain has reached in a World Cup since their triumph at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, while France has reached their third semi-final in as many tournaments under Didier Deschamps.
Spain has been dominant in recent meetings between the two, having knocked France out of the 2025 UEFA Nations League and 2024 Euros semi-finals, where they went on to win the tournament. Spain will also be looking to extend their current unbeaten run of 34 games, but they are up against a France team looking to reach their third consecutive FIFA World Cup final.
France vs Morocco head-to-head stats
Head-to-head record
France and Spain have one of the biggest and most heated football rivalries in the world, dating back to 1922, when the two teams first met in an international friendly match.
France and Spain have met 38 times, with Spain leading the head-to-head (18 – 7 – 13), winning 18, drawing 7, and losing 13 times against France. In their meetings, Spain has also dominated the goal tally, scoring 71 goals to France’s 44. Their last five encounters consisted of:
- 05/06/2025 (UEFA Nations League): Spain 5 – 4 France
- 09/07/2024 (2024 Euros): Spain 2 – 1 France
- 10/10/2021 (UEFA Nations League): Spain 1 – 2 France
- 28/03/2017 (Friendly International): France 0 – 2 Spain
- 04/09/2014 (Friendly International): France 1 – 0 Spain
France’s recent form
France’s last five matches: WWWWW–
France is in incredible form heading to their third consecutive semi-final at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, having won all of their last five games against teams such as:
- 09/07/2026 (FIFA World Cup): France 2 – 0 Morocco
- 04/07/2026 (FIFA World Cup): France 1 – 0 Paraguay
- 30/06/2026 (FIFA World Cup): France 3 – 0 Sweden
- 26/06/2026 (FIFA World Cup): Norway 1 – 4 France
- 22/06/2026 (FIFA World Cup): France 3 – 0 Iraq
After topping their World Cup Qualification group, France continued their form by picking up wins against Brazil, Colombia and Northern Ireland heading into the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In their last five outings, France scored 14 goals and conceded twice. Four of the five matches ended with over 2.5 goals, with France keeping three clean sheets.
Since the commencement of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, France has won all of their matches and has conceded just two goals. France’s World Cup campaign started off with a solid second-half performance against Senegal, securing all three points. They followed up that defeat with comprehensive wins over Iraq and Norway, claiming nine points in the Group stage.
They have been perfect in their knockout rounds, putting three past Sweden before claiming a hard-fought win over Paraguay, without conceding in either match. They continued their perfect form by repeating their 2022 FIFA World Cup result, defeating Morocco 2 – 0 to book their spot in the semi-finals. From what I have seen in their 2026 FIFA World Cup matches, France is the team to beat if you want to win the World Cup, and I can see them claiming another World Cup crown.
Spain’s recent form
Spain’s last five matches: WWWWW–
Spain heads into their semi-final game at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in high spirits. They have won all of their last five outings against the following teams:
- 10/07/2026 (FIFA World Cup): Spain 2 – 1 Belgium
- 06/07/2026 (FIFA World Cup): Portugal 0 – 1 Spain
- 02/07/2026 (FIFA World Cup): Spain 3 – 0 Austria
- 27/06/2026 (FIFA World Cup): Uruguay 0 – 1 Spain
- 21/06/2026 (FIFA World Cup): Spain 4 – 0 Saudi Arabia
The current European champions managed to top their World Cup Qualifier group and continued their outstanding form into the World Cup, and sit on a 34-game unbeaten run. After starting off the 2026 FIFA World Cup shakily, they have grown into the Tournament and have only conceded a single goal thus far, against Belgium in the quarter-finals.
Despite being undefeated, Spain’s poor form in front of goal was on full display in their goalless draw with Cabo Verde in their World Cup opener. They rightfully bounced back once their teenage talisman, Lamine Yamal, was added back to the starting lineup and fired four past Saudi Arabia and three in their Round of 32 tie with Austria.
However, their goalscoring frailties remain a concern against defensive teams, and Yamal has been underwhelming for a player of his level. Spain has had to rely on impact subs to change the game. In their last five matches, Spain had scored 11 goals, conceded once, and kept 4 clean sheets.
Team news
France team news
Injuries: N/A
Suspensions: N/A
Key players to watch: I cannot wait to see what Kylian Mbappé will do against a world-class defence in Spain. He is France’s primary goal threat, and his explosive pace and off-the-ball movements have been vital in France’s 100% record. Michael Olise and Désiré Doué will be tasked to stretch the game and create open spaces for Mbappe’s runs to exploit the Spanish defence. They tend to control their respective flanks, utilising their elite overlapping runs and 1v1 dribbling to add depth to the French attack. Adrien Rabiot is the main player in the French midfield and tactical defensive coverage and quick transitions of the ball to Ousmane Dembele to create goal-scoring opportunities. He serves as one of the main outlets to the French attack, utilising his explosive speed to cause problems for the defence. The imposing presence of William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano will be pivotal in controlling the Spanish attack and stopping central passing lanes.
Spain team news
Injuries: Yéremy Pino (Fractured Collarbone) & Nico Williams (Groin Injury)
Suspensions: N/A
Key players to watch: Lamine Yamal will be Spain’s main attacking outlet and should cause the most problems for the French defence with his blistering pace and elite 1v1 dribbling on the flanks. Nico Williams has been sitting out with a groin injury, but should be able to get some minutes off the bench. He partners with Yamal out wide and will provide electric speed and directness to the Spanish attack. Mikel Oyarzabal’s clinical goal-scoring prowess will come to the fore as his wingers draw in defenders, allowing him to slot into space and finish chances. Rodri will continue to be key in protecting Spain’s defensive line and stopping any counterattacks. Mikel Merino has been the game-changer in the Spanish outfit, picking up both winners in their last two knockout matches from the bench. He will add clinical runs behind French defenders, and his elite reflexes will ensure he is the first to any rebounds. Pedri has been cleared to play, and he should add vision and close-control passing in Spain’s final third to slice open opposition defences. Marc Cucurella has controlled the left flank for Spain and will need to be on his game to stop Olise and provide depth in the Spanish attack in the absence of Williams.
Predicted lineups
France predicted XI
Didier Deschamps will not change a winning strategy and will feature Le Bleus in a highly disciplined, possession-oriented 4-2-3-1 formation. Their pace out wide will be pivotal in breaking Spain’s compact defensive block. France will rely on fluid positional rotations to disrupt Spain’s defensive compactness with runs behind by their captain. We predict the Le Bleus starting XI to feature:
Mike Maignan (G) – Jules Koundé – Dayot Upamecano – William Saliba – Lucas Digne – Aurélien Tchouaméni – Adrien Rabiot – Michael Olise – Ousmane Dembélé – Désiré Doué – Kylian Mbappé (C).
Spain predicted XI
Luis de la Fuente has built his Spanish side to dominate central possession, and uses Rodri as an anchor to free up Pedri and Ruiz to create forward passes. The return of his main winger has created explosivity out wide and directness with their 1v1 dribbling. Spain will look to stretch the defence and isolate the French fullbacks, creating spaces for their central attacking threats. La Roja should look to use a 4-2-3-1 formation to balance out defensive solidity with speed and power on the flanks. We predict La Roja to feature the following players:
Unai Simón (G) – Pedro Porro – Pau Cubarsí – Aymeric Laporte – Marc Cucurella – Rodri (C) – Pedri – Lamine Yamal – Fabián Ruiz – Álex Baena – Mikel Oyarzabal.
Best betting markets for France vs Spain
Match winner
Prediction: France to win @ 15/10 (2.50) at BetXchange.
Over/Under goals
Prediction: Over 2.5 goals @ 96/100 (1.96) at BetXchange.
Both teams to score
Prediction: Both teams to score Yes @ 73/100 (1.85) at BetXchange.
Anytime goalscorer
Prediction: Kylian Mbappé to score anytime @ 13/10 (2.30) at Easybet.
The semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup are underway, but the world of sport does not take any breaks. The Rugby Summer Nations Championship is up and running with the Springboks hosting Wales in their final home match in July. For more insights into the Summer Nations Championship or tips on the weekly rugby action, check out our Topbets Daily Rugby Predictions page on our website.
France vs Spain prediction
Best bet
Prediction: France to win @ 15/10 (2.50) at BetXchange.
Correct score prediction
Prediction: Match to end 2 – 1 to France @ 10/1 (11.00) at WSB.
Match analysis and verdict
France and Spain are yet to lose a match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and will be eyeing to book their spot in the finals. Spain has been the better side in recent meetings, having knocked out France in the UEFA Nations League and Euros. However, France is not to be taken lightly at the FIFA World Cup and will be looking to book their place in their third straight final.
We predicted France to win their quarter-final tie with Morocco, and I see this fixture ending any other way. Spain has a good side and does not concede easily, but France is the team to beat, and unless they have an off day, I do not see them losing any match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Les Bleus should claim a hard-fought 2 – 1 win and reach their third consecutive FIFA World Cup Final.
Writer/Betting Tipster
I have been in the iGaming industry for a decade and am an avid sports bettor and fan. I have expanded my betting knowledge to create articles on the iGaming industry focusing on online casino content and sports betting analysis for several regions, including South Africa. I cover various sports, including Soccer, Cricket and Horse Racing. All my predictions, tips and insights are thoroughly researched and I aim to help fellow punters in beating the bookies!
