France face Spain in 2026 World Cup semi-final: La Roja favoured by observers

France will play their 2026 World Cup semi-final against Spain on 14 July, with a place in the final of a third consecutive World Cup under Didier Deschamps at stake. La Roja, reigning European champions, approach this clash with favourite status in the eyes of several observers.

Journalist Mélisande Gomez justified this ranking by relying on concrete arguments. “Because they are European champions, to begin with. Because the last time the Blues faced Spain, they were down 4-0 fairly quickly, then 5-1, and they are a team with very strong technical mastery and collective sense,” she explained. She was careful, however, to distinguish favourite status from a result prediction: “I’m not saying they will beat us. We will beat them. But they are the favourites, they will have the pressure.”

The journalist also expressed marked wariness of the opponent. “I am very wary of this team because they are very, very difficult to play against. I think they are the team that will put us in difficulty,” she concluded.

Recent statistics support this sentiment: in the last ten meetings between the two nations, Spain prevails with seven victories against two for France, with one draw.

On the French side, the path to the semi-final has not been free of doubts. A laboured first half against Senegal and a difficult round-of-16 tie against Paraguay left questions hanging over the true level of the Blues against top-tier opposition. The duel against Lamine Yamal and his teammates will constitute their first real test of the World Cup.