France vs. Spain: The 2026 World Cup Semifinal Explained Simply

Based on a report from CNN Español

What Is This Big Match?

Imagine a giant soccer tournament where countries from all over the world play. This is the 2026 World Cup! Now, we are at the "semifinal" stage – that means only the top four teams are left, and they play to see who goes to the very last game (the final).

The first semifinal is a super exciting face-off between France and Spain. These two are like the superheroes of European soccer – they have been the strongest teams from Europe in the last many years.

Important: The winner of this match gets a golden ticket to the grand final on Sunday. So it’s a must-watch!

Where Is the Game Being Played?

• Stadium: Dallas Stadium (Estadio Dallas)
• Location: Arlington, Texas, in the United States (that’s a city inside the U.S. where the stadium sits)

When Does the Whistle Blow? (Times in Your City)

Because the world has different clocks (time zones), the same game happens at different local times. Here are the start times:

• 3 p.m. if you are in Miami
• 12 p.m. if you are in Los Angeles
• 1 p.m. if you are in Mexico City
• 2 p.m. if you are in Bogotá
• 4 p.m. if you are in Buenos Aires
• 9 p.m. if you are in Madrid

Simple Steps to Watch the Match

1. Find your city in the list above to know your local kick-off time.
2. Look at the channel list below for the country you live in.
3. Turn on the TV or streaming service at the right time and cheer!

How to Watch on TV (Channels by Country)

Different countries have different ways to watch. Here’s who shows the game:

• United States: FOX, FOX One, Telemundo, and Peacock
• Mexico: Canal 5, Azteca 7, Canal Nueve, TUDN, and ViX
• Colombia: DSports, RCN TV, and Win Sports
• Argentina: Televisión Pública, Flow, DirecTV Sports, DGO, Disney+, and Paramount+
• Spain: La 1, Teledeporte, and RTVE Play

A Fun Extra Tool

On the original CNN Español page, there is a small interactive box (like a mini-app) that shows head-to-head facts between the teams. If you want to explore that, you can visit their site!

Who Might Be on the Field? (Possible Lineups)

A "lineup" is just the list of players who start the game. Think of it as the starting team. Each team also has a coach (called "DT" – the boss who makes plans).

France’s Possible Starting Players

• Goalkeeper (the one who catches the ball to protect the net): Mike Maignan
• Defenders (they block the other team): Jules Koundé, Dayot Upamecano, William Saliba, Lucas Digne
• Midfielders (they run in the middle and pass): Manu Koné, Adrien Rabiot
• Forwards (they try to kick the ball into the goal): Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise, Désiré Doué, Kylian Mbappé
• Coach (DT): Didier Deschamps

Spain’s Possible Starting Players

• Goalkeeper: Unai Simón
• Defenders: Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsí, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella
• Midfielders: Rodri, Pedri
• Forwards: Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Álex Baena, Mikel Oyarzabal
• Coach (DT): Luis de la Fuente

Summary

To wrap it up: The first semifinal of the 2026 World Cup is France vs. Spain at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The winner goes to the final on Sunday. The match times differ by city (like 3 p.m. in Miami, 9 p.m. in Madrid). You can watch on many TV channels depending on your country. Both teams have star players ready to play. It’s a soccer party you don’t want to miss!

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. What is a semifinal in simple words?
It’s a game where the best four teams become two. The two winners go to the final to fight for the trophy.

2. Why are France and Spain so special?
They have been the two strongest soccer teams from Europe over the last few decades, so everyone expects a great show.

3. Who is the coach of Spain?
The coach (or DT) for Spain is Luis de la Fuente.

4. What time does the match start in Los Angeles?
It starts at 12 p.m. (noon) in Los Angeles.

5. Can I watch the game in Argentina on streaming?
Yes! In Argentina you can use Flow, DirecTV Sports, DGO, Disney+, or Paramount+ among others.