Spain go take on France for Dallas Stadium on Tuesday, July 14, for di 2026 World Cup semifinals, as both teams dey fight for spot for di final for New York/New Jersey Stadium. Both teams na powerhouses, both teams get plenty stars, and both teams dey absolutely thrilling to watch with rich histories of playing each other. And with so much talent on each roster, you fit build a truly exceptional starting lineup, so we do am. Below na our combined best XI for Spain vs France ahead of dia World Cup semifinal match on Tuesday.
Both goalkeepers don get strong tournaments. Maignan only don concede two goals, while Simón no don concede until Belgium score for di quarterfinals. Simón don dey excellent for Spain, but Maignan get di slight nod as di better all-around goalkeeper. Verdict: Mike Maignan, France.
Pedro Porro don come onto di scene for im first major international tournament for Spain, providing real value for attack from di right-back position, including a goal against Austria. But Koundé give you more stability as a polished defender and converted center back, while still get di capability to join di attack and provide value going forward. Verdict: Jules Koundé, France.
Both Pau Cubarsí and Dayot Upamecano na great center backs, and dis na very tight battle between di two. Upamecano get di athletic advantage, while Cubarsí provide more ability to play with di ball for im feet. Upamecano fit be accident waiting to happen sometimes, but for dis tournament, im hardly don put a foot wrong. For im best, im easily be one of di best defenders for di world. Verdict: Dayot Upamecano, France.
Di Premier League-winning Saliba win dis battle over Aymeric Laporte, who dey get strong tournament and don be veteran leader alongside di young Cubarsí for di back. Despite Spain excellent defensive record, Saliba and Upamecano complete di clean sweep over di Spanish center backs. Verdict: William Saliba, France.
E don be remarkable comeback story for Lucas Digne, starting for dis World Cup after im last World Cup for France come for 2014. Im don return and no don be bad, but if dere be weakness for dis France team, e dey for left back. Cucurella continue to show for dis tournament why im be one of di best left backs for di world, and im now be Real Madrid player after completing im move from Chelsea. Verdict: Marc Cucurella, Spain.
Dis na another tight battle, with both players widely recognized as world-class players for dia position and important to dia national teams. But di slight nod go to Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, who dey show signs of im pre-ACL-injured self for dis World Cup. Im don be Spain composer throughout di tournament, just as im be for Spain for Euro 2024. Verdict: Rodri, Spain.
On paper, dis fit seem like no conversation, but Rabiot no don lay a foot wrong for dis tournament. Im don do all di dirty work for France for midfield with im work rate, cleaning up scraps and allowing Michael Olise to roam around and pick up different pockets without having to worry as much about di defensive side. But Pedri na incredible player on a technical level and get di nod. Verdict: Pedri, Spain.
Both na young star players wey go be stars for many years to come. Doué don be important for dis France team, splitting time with Bradley Barcola and making impact off di bench, including winning di penalty wey win France di game against Paraguay for di round of 16. But Lamine Yamal already be one of di best players for di world, even at 18 years old. Verdict: Lamine Yamal, Spain.
Michael Olise dey get as dominant of a tournament as you fit get without scoring a goal up to dis point. Olise don completely boss games from di No. 10 position. Im already get five assists, wey only be one away from tying Pelé all-time record for a single World Cup. Every time Olise get on di ball, magic dey happen for dis France team. Dani Olmo na pivotal part of dis Spanish side, with im intricate line-breaking passing and ability to make late runs into di box and cause havoc. But Olise fit make a real case for di Golden Ball for dis World Cup. Verdict: Michael Olise, France.
Despite Yamal playing on di left-hand side, where Dembélé traditionally plays, Dembélé still find way into dis team. Di Ballon d’Or winner na pivotal piece for a PSG side wey win back-to-back Champions League titles, and im now dey get im best international tournament ever. Im don score five goals, wey for many past international tournaments go put a player firmly for di Golden Boot race. But dis tournament don be anomaly, with three players scoring at least seven goals. Baena don be solid for Spain, but Dembélé dey play at a different level. Verdict: Ousmane Dembélé, France.
Mikel Oyarzabal na underrated piece of dis Spanish side. Im no be typical No. 9. When im get crack at goal, im na very efficient finisher, and im get four goals for dis World Cup. But Kylian Mbappé get eight goals and widely recognized as one of di best players for di world. Im total World Cup goal tally don reach 20, despite being only 27 years old. Verdict: Kylian Mbappé, France.
