France vs. Spain: 2026 World Cup semifinal live – Pedri benched, De la Fuente repeats Belgium lineup

Spain's national football team prepares to face France in a highly anticipated 2026 World Cup semifinal, with coach Luis de la Fuente sticking to a winning formula. De la Fuente has named the same starting eleven that secured a quarter-final victory against Belgium, signaling confidence in his established lineup.

Notable in the lineup is the decision to bench midfielder Pedri, with Fabián Ruiz taking his place in the starting midfield. Pedri is expected to be a key substitute, ready to make an impact later in the game. All eyes will also be on Lamine Yamal, Spain's young star, who has shown flashes of brilliance but is yet to fully unleash his potential on the World Cup stage. This semifinal presents the perfect opportunity for the forward to shine.

The match carries historical weight, with deep footballing connections between the two nations. French legend Just Fontaine, who scored a record 13 goals in the 1958 World Cup, was the son of an Andalusian mother. Spain and France have met only once before in a World Cup final phase, a 3-1 victory for France in the Round of 16 in 2006.

Before kickoff, a moment of silence will be observed to honor the victims of the 2016 Nice terrorist attack and for the passing of former Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. The atmosphere in Dallas is building as the match approaches, with Spain aiming to advance to the final.

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