World Cup

France vs Spain LIVE Updates: Minute-by-minute coverage of the 2026 World Cup semifinals

Updated on
July 14, 2026

**© Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images Carl Recine/Getty Images**These teams play for a spot in the final

A huge match was expected in the 2026 World Cup semifinals, and France and Spain delivered as they battled for a place in the final.

The expectations are high because France have not faced many obstacles in the competition so far, winning all six of their matches convincingly. A victory would send them to their fifth World Cup final.

Spain had a slower start to the tournament, but they found their best form as the competition progressed, winning every match after drawing with Cape Verde. They are looking to reach their second World Cup final after lifting the trophy in their first appearance in one.

02:45PM

The referees

The referees for this match are Iván Barton (Referee - El Salvador), David Moran (Assistant Referee 1 - El Salvador), Antonio Pupiro (Assistant Referee 2 - Nicaragua), Glenn Nyberg (Fourth Official - Sweden), Mahbod Beigi (Reserve Assistant Referee - Sweden), Tomasz Kwiatkowski (Lead VAR - Poland), Dennis Higler (Assistant VAR - Netherlands) and Guillermo Pacheco (Support VAR - Mexico).

02:30PM

The next rival

The winner of this match will play Argentina or England in the final, which would be the fifth for France after winning in 1998 and 2018 and finishing as runners-up in 2006 and 2022, and the second for Spain, who won their only previous final in 2010.

02:15PM

Their campaigns

France are in this round after a perfect tournament that began with victories over Senegal, Iraq and Norway to finish first in Group I before beating Sweden 3-0, Paraguay 1-0 and Morocco 2-0. Spain also finished first in Group H with a draw against Cape Verde and victories over Saudi Arabia and Uruguay before beating Austria 3-0, Portugal 1-0 and Belgium 2-1.

02:00PM