Sports
France and Spain meet in rare World Cup semi-final on Bastille Day
July 14, 2026 at 03:05 PM
Coverage
4 reports · 1 in Arabic, 3 in English · over 4 hours
TGThe Guardian
David Squires on … England’s high-wire act continuing to the World Cup semis
(opens the publisher’s site)
BNBBC News
World Cup 2026: Didier Deschamps 'very funny and motivated' says Marion Bartoli
(opens the publisher’s site)
MAMasrawy
نقطة تحول للديوك.. المواجهة المونديالية الوحيدة بين فرنسا وإسبانيا قبل صدام الليلة
(opens the publisher’s site)
BNBBC News
World Cup 2026: Who will win the tournament? The view from the semi-finalists
(opens the publisher’s site)Didier Deschamps leads France into Tuesday's semi-final against Spain for a place in the World Cup final, days after attending his mother's funeral.
- Didier Deschamps' mother Ginette died on 23 June; he returned to France for her funeral, missing France's 4-1 win over Norway.
- France and Spain play in the World Cup semi-final on Tuesday, 14 July, with the winner facing England or Argentina.
- The only previous World Cup meeting between the teams was a 3-1 French victory in the 2006 round of 16.
- French journalist Abdoul-Karim said some cities postponed Bastille Day fireworks until after the semi-final.