France Vs Spain Predicted Starting XIs For FIFA World Cup Semifinal Match

Published 14 July 2026 · sports

France Vs Spain Predicted Starting XIs For FIFA World Cup Semifinal Match Published By, Last Updated: July 14, 2026, 15:21 IST France coach Didier Deschamps

France Vs Spain Predicted Starting XIs For FIFA World Cup Semifinal Match Published By, Last Updated: July 14, 2026, 15:21 IST France coach Didier Deschamps says his team won't let Spain dictate their World Cup semi-final. France have won all of their matches of the competition so far. (AP Photo) France are determined not to allow Spain to dictate proceedings when the two sides meet in Tuesday’s World Cup semi-final, according to coach Didier Deschamps, who also confirmed that Aurelien Tchouameni is back in contention after injury. Spain have reached the last four by controlling possession, pressing aggressively high up the pitch and setting the tempo of matches through sustained spells on the ball. Although France have the pace to exploit space on the counterattack, Deschamps dismissed suggestions that his team would simply sit back and rely on transitions while their midfielder Warren Zaire-Emery believes the two-time winners have enough tactical flexibility to respond to whatever the game demands.

“Spain have great quality on the ball," he said. “We have the qualities to attack quickly on the counter, to keep possession ourselves and to defend well. France have received a timely boost with the return of Tchouameni, who has not featured since the 3-0 round-of-32 victory over Sweden on June 30. The Real Madrid midfielder missed the 1-0 last-16 win against Paraguay and the 2-0 quarter-final triumph over Morocco because of a hamstring injury. Spain’s possession-based approach is designed not only to create scoring opportunities but also to wear opponents down by circulating the ball patiently across the pitch. While France have consistently reached the latter stages of major competitions under Deschamps, the coach said previous encounters with Spain would have little bearing on Tuesday’s showdown.

Spain defeated France in the Euro 2024 semi-finals before repeating the feat in the Nations League semi-finals in 2025. FRA vs SPA Predicted Starting XIs France: Mike Maignan, Jules Kounde; Dayot Upamecano; William Saliba; Lucas Digne, Manu Kone; Adrien Rabiot, Michael Olise; Ousmane Dembele; Desire Doue, Kylian Mbappe Spain: Unai Simon, Pedro Porro; Pau Cubarsi; Aymeric Laporte; Marc Cucurella, Pedri; Rodri, Lamine Yamal; Dani Olmo; Alex Baena, Mikel Oyarzabal With Agency Inputs News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author Feroz Khan Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience...