Two of football's most decorated nations collide in Texas as France and Spain meet in the semi-finals of FIFA World Cup 2026. Kylian Mbappe leads Les Bleus against a Spain side built around the electrifying Lamine Yamal, in what promises to be one of the defining matches of this tournament.

Kick-off time and how to watch

The match kicks off at 8:00pm BST / 3:00pm ET / 5:00am AEST (Wednesday). Viewers in the UK can stream it for free on ITV, with build-up beginning at 7:00pm. Australian fans can watch at no cost on SBS On Demand. In the US, the game is available on Fox, accessible through Fox One, YouTube TV, Hulu+Live TV, Sling, Fubo, or DirecTV. Spanish-language coverage in the US is on Telemundo and Peacock.

The match is also free to watch in Ireland on RTÉ Player, in Brazil on CazéTV via YouTube, in the Netherlands on NOS, in Belgium on RTBF/VRT, in Switzerland on SRF/RTS/RSI, and in Turkey on TRT.

The stakes

This is the last World Cup 2026 semi-final to be held in the Lone Star State, and it arrives with enormous weight. The winner will face either England or Argentina in the final — meaning, whoever progresses, there will be no first-time world champion this year. Both finalists would be established giants of the game.

France have been among the most potent sides in the tournament. They emerged from the group stage as joint-top scorers and have since displayed a reliable habit of finding decisive goals when it matters most.

Spain, under Luis de la Fuente, have been quieter but no less effective. After an early stumble — a goalless draw against Cape Verde — they overcame Uruguay, Austria, and Belgium to reach the final four. Remarkably, Charles De Ketelaere's consolation strike for Belgium remains the only goal Unai Simón has conceded throughout the entire competition.

A rivalry steeped in history

France and Spain have met 38 times in senior men's football, but this is only the second time they have faced each other at a FIFA World Cup. The first came at World Cup 2006, when France won 3-1 in the round of 16 — David Villa's penalty put Spain ahead before Franck Ribery, Patrick Vieira, and Zinedine Zidane turned the tie around for Raymond Domenech's side.

Recent head-to-head records favour Spain. France have won only four of the 13 encounters between these teams since 2000, including a loss in the semi-finals of the European Championship two years ago.

The Golden Boot race

An added subplot is the race for the 2026 Golden Boot. Mbappe and Lionel Messi have both scored eight goals in the tournament, with Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham also in contention. Mbappe sits just one goal behind the all-time World Cup scoring record — another motivation, if any were needed, for the France captain to deliver.

Prediction

France 2-1 Spain. France look capable of finding a way through, though Luis de la Fuente's resolute side may well push the contest to extra time before Les Bleus seal their place in the final.