Kinshasa, July 12th, 2026 (CPA) . – Tuesday’s FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final between France and Spain at the Dallas Stadium in the United States is widely seen as a rematch of the UEFA Euro 2024 semi-final, won 2-1 by Spain, according to the FIFA website consulted by CPA on Sunday. « France and Spain will meet again in the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on July 14th. Les Bleus were defeated 2-1 by La Roja in the semi-finals of UEFA Euro 2024, » the source stated. According to FIFA, the defeat remains a painful memory for the French national team, which also suffered another setback against Spain one year later in the 2025 UEFA Nations League semi-finals, losing a thrilling encounter 5-4. The statistics show that France has now suffered two consecutive defeats against Spain heading into Tuesday’s showdown.
France aiming to crown Bastille Day celebrations
The World Cup semi-final will be played on July 14, France’s National Day, commemorating the storming of the Bastille in 1789, a defining moment of the French Revolution and the symbolic birth of modern France. The historic significance of the date is expected to provide additional motivation for Didier Deschamps’ side, which will be seeking not only revenge for its recent defeats to Spain but also a place in the World Cup final.
Victory would move France one step closer to winning a third FIFA World Cup title after its triumphs in 1998 and 2018. Conversely, defeat on such a symbolic national day would make the occasion particularly disappointing for French supporters.
Spain seeking to extend its dominance
Spain, meanwhile, will be aiming to maintain its recent superiority over France by securing a third consecutive victory over its European neighbor. A win would send La Roja into the World Cup final, where it would pursue a second global title after lifting the trophy in South Africa in 2010. Whatever the outcome, the clash between the two European football powers has all the ingredients of a final before the final.