France vs. Spain live score, result, highlights from 2026 FIFA World Cup semifinal

Two of world soccer's greatest superpowers are slated to joust for a spot in the World Cup final. It will be a matchup filled with luminaries.

France and Spain are arguably the two best sides in world football, blessed with talent-laden rosters and styles of play that have proven difficult to contend with. Les Bleus have enjoyed a sterling run through this year's tournament, collecting 16 goals. Most of those strikes have come from the foot of Kylian Mbappe, who finds himself in contention for the Golden Ball once more.

La Roja have been noticeably more timid in attack by comparison, with just 11 goals in the competition — four of which came against Saudi Arabia. Spain's defense has been wondrous, however, conceding just one goal in the competition.

There is little separating the two sides, with Mbappe and Lamine Yamal hoping to add to their glistening reputations with explosive outings on Tuesday afternoon.

The Sporting News is tracking live updates from Tuesday's semifinal matchup between France and Spain. Follow below for highlights, analysis and more from the first of two semifinal matchups at this year's World Cup.

STREAM: Watch the 2026 World Cup live with fubo

France vs. Spain score

Location: Arlington, Texas
Referee: Ivan Barton (SLV)

Projected starting lineups:

France (4-2-3-1, right to left): 16. M. Maignan (GK) — 5. J. Kounde, 4. D. Upacemano, 17. W. Saliba, 3. L. Digne — 8. A. Tchouameni, 14. A. Rabiot — 7. O. Dembele, 11. M. Olise, 25. B. Barcola — 10. K. Mbappe

Spain (4-2-3-1, right to left): 23. U. Simon (GK) — 12. P. Porro, 22. P. Cubarsi, 14. A. Laporte, 24. M. Cucurella — 16. Rodri, 8. F. Ruiz — 19. L. Yamal, 10. D. Olmo, 15. A. Baena — 21. M. Oyarzabal

France vs. Spain live updates, highlights from 2026 World Cup semifinal

(All times ET)

Pregame

1:45 p.m.: Lineups are in for today's contest. Looks like Bradley Barcola will start instead of Desire Doue on the left wing while Aurelien Tchoumeni will step in for Manu Kone in the middle of the park.

As for La Roja, there are no changes to report. Alex Baena retains his place in the starting XI, with Nico Williams relegated to bench duty as he works his way back into fitness following his injury.

🚨 𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟: Spain and France starting XI for the World Cup Semi Final! 🇪🇸🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/TBifjhm9aV

12:45 p.m.: Looks like France will be sporting its signature away strip for today's match.

Le vestiaire est en place 👕✅ #FRAESP | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/nj3fFa3NjH

12:15 p.m.: Yamal is still but a teenager. And yet, he has arguably proven to be Mbappe's greatest adversary. The 18-year-old is a perfect 5-0 against the Frenchman, defeating him in the 2024 European Championships, 2025 Supercopa Final, 2025 Copa del Rey final, 2025 Nations League Semifinal and 2026 Supercopa final.

12 p.m.: It will be interesting to see who Deschamps deploys to defend Lamine Yamal at left back. Lucas Digne has been the manager's go-to choice in recent matches. However, he's not the most accomplished defender. Could Deschamps call Theo Hernandez to take the Aston Villa defender's spot on Tuesday afternoon? We'll know in the next 30 minutes.

11:45 a.m.: Spain earned a date with France by besting Belgium 2-1 in its quarterfinal matchup. With the match 1-1 approaching stoppage time, Spain substitute Mikel Merino found the back of the net in the 88th minute to lift La Roja to victory. 

11:15 a.m.: France enters the semifinals fresh off a 2-0 win in the quarterfinals over Morocco, marking the second consecutive tournament Les Bleus sent the Atlas Lions home. Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele each scored in a span of six minutes to punch the semifinal ticket. 

10:30 a.m.: France and Spain meet in the first World Cup semifinal of 2026, with the winner set to advance to the final. You don't have to look that far back for the last time France played for the FIFA title, as Les Bleus were in the final match of the 2022 World Cup, losing in penalties to Argentina. Meanwhile, Spain's last (and only) trip to a World Cup final was in 2010 when La Roja defeated the Netherlands in extra time. 

MORE FRANCE-SPAIN NEWS

• History of France vs. Spain in the World Cup
• How Lamine Yamal has bested Kylian Mbappe
• Inside France's diverse World Cup roster
• How Didier Dechamps can make World Cup history
• Most World Cup wins by country

Where to watch France vs. Spain in World Cup semifinal

France vs. Spain start time

• Date: Tuesday, July 13
• Kickoff: 3 p.m ET

France vs. Spain kicks off Tuesday, July 13, at 3 p.m. ET at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

What channel is France vs. Spain on today?

• TV channel: Fox or FS1
• Live stream: fubo

Tuesday's match between France and Spain will air nationally on Fox (for English-speaking viewers) and Telemundo (for Spanish-speaking viewers) in the United States. Those looking to stream the match can turn to fubo.

MORE WORLD CUP NEWS:

• Printable World Cup bracket
• Ranking remaining World Cup teams in semifinals
• World Cup prize money breakdown

World Cup 2026 knockouts schedule

Semifinals

Third-place match

Final