France and Spain are set to face each other in a highly anticipated World Cup semi-final match in Dallas. Didier Deschamps, the manager for France, has described the upcoming game as potentially “spectacular.” This fixture will see France aiming to reach their third consecutive World Cup final.
The match is scheduled for Tuesday, July 14th, with kick-off at 3:00 p.m. EST at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Spain previously defeated France in the semi-finals of Euro 2024 and also secured a victory against them in a Nations League last-four encounter.
France’s pursuit of a third consecutive final
France, two-time world champions, could become only the third nation to reach three consecutive World Cup finals if they win this semi-final. West Germany (1982, 1986, 1990) and Brazil (1994, 1998, 2002) are the only other countries to have achieved this feat. Deschamps, who captained France to a world title in 1998 and managed them to victory in 2018, will step down at the end of this tournament after 14 years in charge.
Deschamps acknowledged Spain as favorites for the semi-final, noting that they have conceded only one goal in six games. However, he also emphasized the offensive quality of both teams, suggesting it will be a “spectacular game.” Spain’s manager, Luis de la Fuente, downplayed the favorites tag, stating that it does not add extra pressure as both are great national teams.
France’s offensive strength has been notable in the tournament, with Kylian Mbappe scoring eight goals and providing three assists. Mbappe could surpass Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race if he scores against Spain.
Team Health and Predictions
A key storyline for the match involves the health of crucial players. Kylian Mbappe was substituted during France’s quarter-final win against Morocco. Despite this, Mbappe stated he was “completely fine,” and there is little concern regarding his availability for the semi-final. Manu Kone was also substituted in the same match due to a minor knee issue and fatigue, but his withdrawal was considered precautionary, and he is expected to be available.
However, there is less optimism surrounding Aurelien Tchouameni, who has missed the last two games due to a muscle injury sustained in training. For Spain, Yeremy Pino and Nico Williams are expected to be available for selection after missing earlier parts of the tournament.
Prediction markets have updated their odds for the match. According to Polymarket, there is a 41% chance that France wins the game in regulation time. Dimers, using advanced algorithms and 10,000 simulations, also predicts France as favorites to win in Texas, giving them a 39.5% chance of victory, which includes the possibility of a draw in regular time. The top pick for the match, based on comprehensive simulations, is to predict under 2.5 goals.
| Platform | MLB Eligible? | July ’26 Sign-Up Bonus | Verified Promo Codes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polymarket | Yes | $50 | CUSE , MASS , OREGON , SILIVE , CLEVE |
| Kalshi | Yes | $10 | SYRACUSE , OREGONLIVE1 , MASSLIVE1 , SI… |
| Novig | Yes | $50 | SYRACUSE , OREGON , MASSLIVE , CLEVELAND |
De la Fuente, in his press conference, referenced Roman general Julius Caesar, stating, “you can’t win without suffering.” He expressed his enjoyment and privilege in his role, encouraging his players to embrace the moment and utilize their potential. The match is scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m. EST.
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Source: bbc.com
