The 2026 FIFA World Cup returns to Dallas Stadium for one final match: France vs. Spain. This is a rematch of the Euro 2024 semi-final. Spain beat France 2–1; Teenage superstar Lamin Yamal scored and Spain won the tournament against England. Their path to the 2026 World Cup could be repeated if England can beat Norway and then possibly Argentina.
French fever is already being felt throughout North Texas. At the French school Alliance Française de Dallas, children sing and a touch of France is felt everywhere.
“We teach French and host activities,” said Angel Jimenez, executive assistant.
The energy for the World Cup is buzzing right now. Throughout the tournament, the school was involved in organizing viewing parties at Hendy’s on Henderson.
“We thought about this from the very beginning. We knew the semi-finals would be here in Dallas. But we didn’t know if France would play in Dallas,” said Alexandre Rossignol, executive director of the Alliance Française de Dallas.
“This is the third time in a row that they are in the semifinals and we won twice, so we will win,” said Eric Nega, exam coordinator and teacher.
The game will take place on Tuesday, July 14 at 14:00. July 14 is also Bastille Day, a French national holiday commemorating the storming of the Bastille prison in 1789 during the French Revolution. It’s usually celebrated with a parade on the Champs-Élysées and fireworks, so let’s see if the national team can throw fireworks on the field in Arlington.
“I think this is a sign that we will win this World Cup,” Rossignol said.
He said they are planning a Bastille Day party at Hendy’s on Henderson immediately after the match next week.
To celebrate Bastille Day after Tuesday’s match, you can also join the annual Bishop Bastille Walk in Oak Cliff’s Bishop Arts District. Your ticket includes access to participating businesses offering wine, cocktails, soft drinks, snacks, treats, restaurant specials and shopping privileges. Upon check-in you will receive a glass of wine, a Bastille passport and a map to guide you around the area.
“Alles le blues!” – Nega said.
If they win, France will join Brazil and Germany as the only countries to reach three finals in a row. France won 4-2 over Croatia in 2018 before losing to Argentina in 2022. France have yet to lose in this tournament and have only conceded two goals, both in the group stage.
Mbappe has 8 goals in the competition so far and is looking to add to his astonishing tally at 27 years of age. Only Lionel Messi (21) has scored more 20 points in 20 games than Mbappe.
Having scored twice for France, Kylian Mbappe moved ahead of Brazilian legends Leonidas and Ronaldo on the knockout stages and came within one goal of Lionel Messi’s World Cup scoring record.
What you need to know about France
Nickname: “Les Bleus”.
Colors: blue, white, red
FIFA World Ranking: 1
Participation in world championships: 17 (1930, 1934, 1938, 1954, 1958, 1966, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026).
Best result: Champion (1998, 2018).
Population: 66.8 million people.
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Spain defeated Belgium 2-1 on Friday in Los Angeles to book their place in the semi-finals. Arsenal striker Mikel Merino, who came on as a substitute, scored late in the game to give the team the lead. Friday marked Spain’s first conceded goal of the tournament; Merino also scored a win against Portugal.
Yamal has just one goal in this tournament but is often protected by two or three defenders and his teammates and coaches say they are quite satisfied with his overall tournament performance, which began with limited playing time in group matches as he returned from a hamstring injury suffered at Barcelona in April.
Most fans think that Lamin is his first name and Yamal is his last name. But the Spanish star’s name tells the heartwarming story of two strangers whose kindness helped his family before he was born.
Spain won its only World Cup in 2010. They have reached the last four only twice: in 1950 and 2010. This is their first time since winning the round of 16.
The only previous World Cup meeting between Spain and France was the round of 16 in Germany in 2006; France won 3:1 but lost to Italy in the final.
The winner of this game will advance to the finals at New York/New Jersey Stadium on Sunday, July 19th. The loser will head to the third-place game in Miami on Saturday.
As the tournament heads into the quarterfinals, starting with France v Morocco at Boston Stadium on Thursday, many fans say the World Cup remains about more than just national pride.