Dallas Stadium gets one last match. It saved truly did save the best for last.
France and Spain meet today in the first semifinal of the 2026 World Cup. Two of the highest-ranked teams in Europe (and the world for that matter), both still unbeaten, meeting in a match that doubles as a rematch of the Euro 2024 semifinal that Spain won 2-1.
The winner goes to New York on July 19 for the final. The loser goes to Miami for a consolation prize in the 3rd place game (why do we still have those?).
Oh, and this is France playing on Bastille Day. Yeah, their national holiday is today for them as they take on the reigning European champions.
France hav been the tournament’s most dominant force, winning six from six, scoring 16 goals and only conceding two. Kylian Mbappé is tied with Lionel Messi for the Golden Boot race with eight goals. While Spain arrive unbeaten in their last 37 straight competitive matches, having needed Mikel Merino off the bench to win each of their last two knockout round games (including one in Dallas against Portugal).
This is the ninth and final match in Dallas Stadium. This is the one we’ve been waiting for. Here’s what you need to know.
Looking for more World Cup, MLS and FC Dallas content? Subscribe today to get our posts directly in your inbox as we publish them.
Lineups
Three Things to Watch
Mbappé vs Porro: The Duel that probably decides the game
France’s entire tactical identity at this tournament has been built around one idea: give Mbappé the ball in space and let him do things that shouldn’t be physically possible (I mean, see his goal against Morocco in the quarterfinals as the perfect example). He’s got eight goals and three assists in this tournament, and has been looking like a guy that is destined to win his second World Cup. For Spain, who’s defense has been arguably the best in this tournament, it will be all about limiting that space Mbappé does so well to work himself into. But if Pedro Porro gets forward too much, France will counter that space and be extremely dangerous in the process. See if Porro sits back more in this one, or how deep Mbappé has to be to receive the ball.
Yamal’s Tournament Moment is Now or Never
There is no getting around it, Lamine Yamal has been good at this tournament. Good, but not nearly as great as the now-19-year old can be. In the last match for Yamal in Dallas against Portugal, he has plenty of ‘nice moments’ but none that truly showed or wowed the crowd. If he is going to truly make a name for himself as the next big thing, he has to show up in this game. Fans have been waiting for that moment all tournament, this has to be it.
The Midfield Nobody is Talking About
When there are names like Mbappé and Yamal on the field, it is hard to see the rest of the attacks and midfielders get any notoriety. But when you have guys like Rodri and Pedri taking on Tchouameni and Camavinga, those matchups have to take a bit of priority, too. Spain’s duo are arguably the tournament’s best ball-retention duo. While France’s duo wins second balls, breaks up possession and finds ways to immediately put the ball on the feet of their best players. The team that wins the midfield will undoubtedly win this one. It really is that simple, folks.
The Vibe Check
It is Spain and France. What more could you want in vibes?
The Call
While I do love a good defensive team, and Spain is that, I just feel that this is France’s tournament to lose at this point. Mbappe has been too good and will likely push the French to the final in a 2-1 win.
Looking for more World Cup, MLS and FC Dallas content? Subscribe today to get our posts directly in your inbox as we publish them.
