Spain secured a place in the 2026 World Cup semifinals with a 2-1 quarterfinal victory over Belgium. Mikel Merino scored the decisive goal in the 88th minute. Led by head coach Luis de la Fuente, Spain is scheduled to face France on Tuesday, July 14, at 3 p.m. Eastern Time, or 21:00 in mainland Spain. The match is set for the Dallas-area stadium in Arlington, Texas, and will be broadcast live on La 1.
The result puts Spain in its first World Cup semifinal since winning the tournament in 2010. The Arlington venue, known as Dallas Stadium for the tournament, has a reported capacity of nearly 93,000, making it the tournament’s largest stadium. Spain’s semifinal is a meeting between the reigning European champions and France, a fixture Swiss broadcaster RFJ characterized as “a final before its time.”
France is also through to the semifinal, where a place in the July 19 final will be at stake. The final is scheduled for the New York/New Jersey venue in East Rutherford, New Jersey, not New York City. Spain will be aiming for a second World Cup title, while France seeks another place in the final.
The other semifinal is scheduled for Wednesday, July 15, at 3 p.m. Eastern Time, or 21:00 in Spain, in Atlanta. The published bracket lists England against Argentina. The third-place match is set for July 18 in Miami, followed by the final the next day in East Rutherford.
For Spanish supporters, the France match offers a chance to reach the World Cup final for the first time since the country’s historic 2010 triumph. The national team’s progress has captured attention across Spain, echoing the excitement surrounding other major sporting events this summer. The recent Wimbledon semifinal run by Novak Djokovic has likewise highlighted the drama and unpredictability of top-level competition.
Attention will turn to Luis de la Fuente’s tactical decisions and the form of Spain’s basic players. The semifinal in Arlington will be a defining test for the national team, with a place in the final, along with a chance to pursue a second world title, at stake. La 1’s live broadcast will allow fans across Spain to follow the match.
Spain’s 2010 World Cup triumph remains a landmark in the country’s sporting history. Now, after defeating Belgium to reach the last four, the team is two wins from another title. France stands between Spain and the final scheduled for July 19 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
