By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: 20:21 BST, 14 July 2026 | Updated: 20:21 BST, 14 July 2026
France and Spain meet Tuesday in Arlington, Texas, for a place in the World Cup final. The teams will play at the home of the NFL´s Dallas Cowboys in the first of two powerhouse semifinal matches. France and Spain are both at their 17th World Cup and have met only once previously on soccer´s biggest stage. Kylian Mbappé will lead France against Spain and teenage sensation Lamine Yamal. The winner will play Sunday against either England or defending champion Argentina in the final.
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This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
Spanish and French flags are seen on the pitch during the presentation of the teams before the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Sam Hodde)
France fans hold pictures of France's Kylian Mbappe (10), left, Spain's Lamine Yamal (19), center, and France's Ousmane Dembele (7) before the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Spain's Lamine Yamal comes out to the pitch for warmup before the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Spain team arrive at the stadium before the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Fans wait in the stands prior to the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
France's Kylian Mbappe runs on to the pitch for warmup before the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
France team arrive at the stadium before the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Victoria Triay, partner of France's Lucas Hernandez in the stands prior to a World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Fans watch the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Sam Hodde)
Players of France pose for the group photo prior to the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Spain's Dani Olmo (10) and France's Adrien Rabiot (14) fight for the ball during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
An assistant referee hands referee Ivan Barton of El Salvador the vanishing spray during a World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Members of team Spain stand during a moment of silence prior to the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
France's Jules Kounde, left, vies for the ball with Spain's Aymeric Laporte during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Monday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)