France vs Spain in 2026 World Cup semi-final: Spanish press warns Mbappé

France and Spain will face off in the semi-final of the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday, July 14 in Dallas. Les Bleus eliminated Morocco (2-0), while La Roja dominated Belgium (2-1). A rematch of the Euro 2024 semi-final that immediately set Spanish press ablaze.

From Barcelona, the newspaper Sport opened hostilities with a resounding “France, here comes Spain!”, noting that La Roja returns to the World Cup semi-finals for the first time in sixteen years. The paper argues that Spain’s two recent victories over France — at Euro 2024 and in the Nations League — constitute a real psychological advantage. “France will start as favorites, but the task will not be easy. Spain is a team in the true sense of the word: robust, solid and reliable,” it writes, echoing Lamine Yamal’s statements.

Marca adopts a similar tone. The Madrid newspaper acknowledges France as “formidable,” but claims that Spanish collective strength is enough to worry any opponent. “Who spoke of fear? France has the most prolific attack in the World Cup, Spain the most impenetrable defense. This will be a match to suffer through… and enjoy,” the paper declares, before issuing a direct warning: “Get ready, Mbappé.”

Cadena SER notes that Lamine Yamal has not yet delivered his best football in this competition, suggesting the worst is still to come for Les Bleus. Journalist Dani Garrido tempers the surrounding euphoria: “It would be a mistake to say that France does not possess more offensive power than us. But if our midfield is at its best level, we can control the match.”

Finally, El País goes further than its peers in presenting this semi-final as a final before its time, arguing that the two best teams in the competition meet in the last four — even though Argentina and England still feature in the other half of the draw. Verdict on July 14 in Dallas.