France and Spain are set to collide in a mouthwatering World Cup semi-final on Tuesday, with a place in the final at stake as two of international football's biggest powers prepare for a defining encounter.
France arrive chasing a third World Cup title after lifting the trophy in 1998 and 2018, while Spain are aiming to become world champions for only the second time since their historic triumph in South Africa in 2010.
France have reached the last two World Cup finals, beating Croatia in Russia in 2018 before suffering a heartbreaking defeat to Argentina in Qatar four years later despite Kylian Mbappe's unforgettable hat-trick.
Now, Didier Deschamps' side are determined to return to the summit of world football.
Mbappe has once again been France's talisman, scoring eight goals to share the lead in the Golden Boot race alongside Lionel Messi. The Real Madrid superstar headlines a formidable attacking unit that also features Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele and dynamic winger Michael Olise, whose pace and creativity have been key throughout the tournament.
France's depth is equally impressive, with Paris Saint-Germain duo Bradley Barcola and Desire Doue providing dangerous attacking options from the bench.
The tournament also marks the end of an era for Deschamps, who will step down after 14 years as France head coach. Already one of football's select few to have won the World Cup as both a player and a manager, the 57-year-old is hoping to finish his reign with a third world title.
"It is a human adventure and even though I chose the players, to be with this squad every day is very important," Deschamps said after France's quarter-final victory over Morocco. "I am very happy on a personal level and also happy to see them enjoying themselves so much."
Spain, meanwhile, believe they have the quality to lift the trophy once again, with teenage sensation Lamine Yamal continuing his rise as one of football's brightest stars.
The Barcelona winger, who turned 19 on Monday, arrived at the tournament recovering from a hamstring injury but has grown stronger with every match. His player-of-the-match display in Spain's 2-1 quarter-final victory over Belgium highlighted his return to top form.
Yamal also pointed to Spain's recent dominance over France, having beaten them 2-1 in the Euro 2024 semi-finals before edging a thrilling 5-4 victory in the 2025 UEFA Nations League semi-finals.
"There are two possibilities – either they reach three consecutive World Cup finals, or we beat them three times in a row. We'll see what happens," Yamal said.
Spain's success has been built on more than attacking flair. Belgium's goal in the quarter-finals was the first they had conceded throughout the tournament, underlining the defensive solidity that has become the foundation of Luis de la Fuente's side.
The Spain coach has also restored the nation's trademark possession-based style, meaning France will likely have to spend long periods chasing the ball before launching their dangerous counter-attacks.
With Mbappe's explosive firepower facing Spain's disciplined, possession-driven approach, the first World Cup semi-final promises to be one of the tournament's biggest spectacles.
