The French national team at the FIFA World Cup 2026 plays spectacularly, and Spain plays well, so it is not possible to name a clear favorite for the first semi-final, Russian football coach Yuri Semin explained to RTVI.
The match between France and Spain in the 1/2 finals of the 2026 World Cup will take place on Tuesday, July 14, at the stadium in Arlington (Texas). Start time is 3:00 pm Eastern Time (ET).
As the former head coach of Lokomotiv Moscow and the Russian national team noted, France’s advantage can be called “young, talented players” in attack, but Spain is able to counter them with its “great defenders.” According to him, before the starting whistle the teams have equal chances.
“The Spanish team has a great defensive performance, great defenders who probably know how to contain these talented young players [Франции]. Therefore, it is difficult to give preference to someone. Two leaders of world football are playing, and, as for me, there is no clear favorite,” Semin said.
According to the coach, fans will probably be more impressed by the French team due to the spectacular performance at the 2026 World Cup.
“Probably plays more brightly, and the fans like the French team. But Spain plays very well,” the specialist emphasized.
By the way, the first place in the number of goals scored at the World Cup is currently occupied by the captain of the French national team, Kylian Mbappe. He and Argentina's Lionel Messi have eight goals each, but the rule on counting assists in the event of a tie in goals applies in Mbappe's favor.
The winner of the France-Spain match will play in East Rutherford, New Jersey, in the 2026 World Cup final on July 19. His opponent will be the team that wins the second semi-final match between Argentina and England on July 15. The losing teams will compete in the third place match on July 18.
