Texas, Jul 14: Two-time champions France will clash with 2010 winners Spain in an all-European FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final clash at the Dallas Stadium on Wednesday, with the winner edging closer to the title with a berth in the final.

France are just one game away from advancing to a third consecutive FIFA WC final, but in Spain they face the reigning European champions and a side also in impressive form.

Didier Deschamps’ side sauntered through the group stage with three consecutive wins against Senegal, Iraq and Norway, before making equally short work of Sweden in the Round of 32. Les Bleus then showed a different side to their game as they disposed of a stubborn Paraguay in the Round of 16, following up with another authoritative display to eliminate Morocco in the quarterfinals.

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On the other hand, after being held to a shock scoreless draw by Cabo Verde in their Group H opener, Spain have gradually found their groove in North America, progressing in first place by defeating Saudi Arabia and Uruguay and then sweeping past Austria in the Round of 32. Late goals were the order of the day in the Round of 16 and quarterfinals, as Mikel Merino came off the bench to dispose of first Portugal and then Belgium.

MATCH DETAILS

• Date & Time: July 15, 12:30 AM IST
• Telecast & Stream: Unite8 Sports Channels; Zee5
• Venue: Dallas Stadium, Arlington, Texas

THE SQUADS

France

• Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan, Robin Risser, Brice Samba;
• Defenders: Lucas Digne, Malo Gusto, Lucas Hernandez, Theo Hernandez, Ibrahima Konaté, Jules Kounde, Maxence Lacroix, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano;
• Midfielders: N'Golo Kanté, Manu Koné, Adrien Rabiot, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Warren Zaire-Emery;
• Forwards: Maghnes Akliouche, Bradley Barcola, Rayan Cherki, Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise, Marcus Thuram.

Spain

• Goalkeepers: Unai Simon, David Raya, Joan Garcia;
• Defenders: Pedro Porro, Marcos Llorente, Aymeric Laporte, Pau Cubarsi, Marc Pubill, Eric Garcia, Marc Cucurella, Alejandro Grimaldo;
• Midfielders: Rodrigo Hernandez, Martin Zubimendi, Pedri Gonzalez, Fabian Ruiz, Mikel Merino, Pablo Paez 'Gavi', Alex Baena;
• Forwards: Mikel Oyarzabal, Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres, Borja Iglesias, Dani Olmo, Victor Munoz, Nico Williams, Yeremy Pino.

(IANS)