The lineup of Luis de la Fuente for this match is already confirmed: Unai Simón; Pedro Porro, Laporte, Cubarsí, Cucurella; Rodri, Fabián, Dani Olmo; Baena, Lamine Yamal and Oyarzabal.
In the last editions of the World Cup, the French national team has always been a protagonist. After a controversial and disastrous run in South Africa, in Brazil (2014) they returned to the final stages of the tournament and fell to the future champion, Germany, in the quarterfinals (0-1). In Russia, four years later, the French reached glory and almost achieved it for the second time in 2022, when they lost on penalties to Argentina in the final after a frantic match.
Fabián Ruiz (Los Palacios, Seville, 30 years old) is the best example that you can be a great football star and go unnoticed. If it weren’t for his height (1.89 meters), he could stroll down Gran Vía without things getting out of hand. And yet, we are facing a footballer whom Luis de la Fuente defines as “a world star.” His record proves it. You can read here the full interview by our special correspondent, Eduardo J. Castelao, with the Spanish national team midfielder.
The last great confrontation between these two teams was in the semifinals of the 2024 European Championship, a competition that the Spanish national team would end up winning. In that match, France started winning with a header goal by Kolo Muani, assisted by Mbappé; but an exceptional shot from outside the area by Lamine Yamal and another goal by Dani Olmo, just four minutes later, gave the victory to Luis de la Fuente‘s team.
On July 14, 2024, exactly two years ago, Spain was crowned European champion for the fourth time after defeating England in the final (2-1).
The last precedent between these two teams in a World Cup was in the 2006 World Cup in Germany. ‘La Roja’, then coached by Luis Aragonés, was defeated in the round of 16 with goals from Ribery, Viera, and Zidane, who would lead his team to the final and had announced his retirement at the end of the competition. The only Spanish goal was scored by David Villa from a penalty.
The last time Spain played a World Cup semifinal was in South Africa 2010, when the team coached by Vicente del Bosque won 0-1 against Germany with a spectacular header by Carles Puyol.
Good afternoon and welcome to the narration of the 2026 World Cup semifinal that will face France and Spain at the Dallas Stadium at 9:00 PM.
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