France v Spain: The Final Before the Final, Live in Dallas

Updated July 2026
Licensed
Available in US
Fast payouts
18+ Only
Want more predictions?
Join our Telegram channel
Join

Two of the last four are the two form sides of European football, and they meet a round early. France v Spain (8:00pm IST, Tuesday, AT&T Stadium, Dallas) is the tie neutrals across Ireland will settle in for — a clash Spain’s own manager has called "a final before the final." It is only the second World Cup meeting between them, the first since Zidane’s France knocked Spain out in 2006. Here is the team news, the euro-book prices, and where the value lands.

France and Spain meet in a World Cup for only the second time — the first since 2006.

France: the most complete side left

France have looked the tournament’s benchmark. Six straight wins, 16 goals scored and only two conceded, and clean sheets in every one of their three knockout ties. Kylian Mbappé shares the Golden Boot lead on eight goals, and Michael Olise has been the creator-in-chief with a tournament-leading six assists. Deschamps, chasing a third straight World Cup semi-final as a manager, is set to break Helmut Schön’s record for most World Cup matches in the dugout.

The concern is fitness. Aurélien Tchouaméni is a major doubt with a thigh problem that has kept him out of the last two games, and Mbappé carried an ankle knock out of the Morocco quarter-final, though he insists he is "completely fine" and is expected to start. Manu Koné is a minor doubt but should be available. No suspensions — the yellow-card slate reset after the quarter-finals.

Spain: 36 unbeaten and chasing history

Spain arrive as reigning European champions on a 36-match unbeaten run — one short of Argentina’s all-time record of 37. They edged Belgium 2-1 in the quarter-final on a late Merino winner, a result that also ended their tournament-long clean-sheet streak, the first goal they had conceded all summer. It is their first World Cup semi-final since they won the whole thing in 2010.

Spain’s own knocks are minor. Yéremy Pino is fit after a shoulder scare that turned out not to be the feared fractured collarbone; Nico Williams carries a thigh/groin issue and his starting spot is uncertain. Like France, Spain have no suspensions after the card-reset. Luis de la Fuente has history here too, noting he has twice beaten France in semi-finals across his career.

Kick-off 8:00pm IST, Tuesday 14 July
Venue AT&T Stadium, Dallas (retractable roof)
Odds France 11/8 · Draw 11/5 · Spain 11/5
Our pick Spain to reach the final

The odds and our pick

The market makes France the favourite around 11/8 on the 90-minute line, with the draw and Spain both around 11/5 (as of 13 July 2026, converted to fractional). On outrights France are the clear tournament favourite; Spain have drifted this week to around 10/3-4/1 as England’s price was steamed in.

France deserve favouritism, but 11/8 is skinny for a side managing Tchouaméni’s fitness and a fresh Mbappé ankle knock against the most in-form team in world football. The value is Spain to reach the final — a team unbeaten in 36 that has lost just one of its last 27 tournament games is generously priced here. If you prefer the goals angle, both sides’ knockout records point to a tight, low-scoring affair, so under 2.5 goals has appeal.

The Irish angle and viewing guide

An 8:00pm IST Tuesday kick-off is the perfect Irish midweek watch — no home dog in the fight, just two European giants going toe to toe. The AT&T Stadium has a retractable roof, likely closed against the Texas heat (a forecast heat index around 97°F outside), so expect climate-controlled, fast conditions underfoot. ZotaBet and Blitz.bet are among the euro-facing books pricing the tie, with odds in euro. For the other semi see our England v Argentina preview, the full semi-finals guide, and the France team page.

What time is France v Spain in Ireland?
Kick-off is 8:00pm IST on Tuesday 14 July at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas. The stadium has a retractable roof, likely closed against the July heat.
Who is favourite, France or Spain?
France are around 11/8 favourites, with the draw and Spain both about 11/5, as of 13 July 2026 and converted to fractional format. France have kept clean sheets in all three of their knockout ties.

Odds shown are converted to fractional format for Irish bookmakers and were accurate as of 13 July 2026; always check the live price before betting. 18+, gamble responsibly. Please play within your limits — support is available at GambleAware.ie.