The match between Spain and France features superstars such as Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Lamin Yamal and others.
European giants France and Spain will battle for a place in the World Cup finals on Tuesday when the first semi-final gets underway in Dallas.
Both teams have some stellar names in their ranks. The likes of Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise and Lamin Yamal will play a key role in securing their country’s place in Sunday’s final.
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Here’s a closer look at some of the key players who will decide Tuesday’s first semi-final.
Kylian Mbappe in action against Paraguay during the round of 16 match (Bill Streicher/Reuters)
Kylian Mbappe
World Cup 2026 statistics:
- Goals: 8
- Gears: 3
- Minutes played: 563
The French captain has been in remarkable form at this World Cup, breaking many records along the way.
Having scored four goals in the group stage, Mbappe has now scored in every knockout round and has also provided a number of assists.
The Real Madrid striker is in top form and poses the biggest threat in a star-studded Les Bleus XI.
Having scored a hat-trick in the World Cup final loss to Argentina in Qatar, Mbappe will be determined to take another step forward this year.
Michael Olise in action against Paraguay (Bill Streicher/Reuters)
Michael Olise
World Cup 2026 statistics:
- Goals: 0
- Passes: 5
- Minutes played: 488
Michael Olise may not have scored his goal at this World Cup yet, but he is the player who has provided the most assists.
He scored five goals for France and his partnership with Mbappe was a highlight of the tournament.
The Bayern Munich midfielder has the technical ability to unlock defenses and will be a key attacking threat in the semi-final against Spain.
Frenchman Ousmane Dembele celebrates his second goal against Morocco (Mike Segar/Reuters)
Ousmane Dembele
World Cup 2026 statistics:
- Goals: 5
- Gears: 2
- Minutes played: 492
The dynamic Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) striker came to this tournament looking for his first World Cup goal. Now he has five of them.
He scored a first-half hat-trick in the group match against Norway and also scored the second goal in France’s 2-0 quarter-final win over Morocco.
Les Bleus are running their own Golden Boot competition, with Dembele pushing Mbappe all the way.
The pair scored 13 goals between them at this World Cup, a feat not achieved by two players from the same country since Brazil’s Ronaldo and Rivaldo in 2002.
Spaniard Lamin Yamal celebrates after the match after Spain reached the semi-finals (Gary Vazquez/Reuters)
Lamin Yamal
World Cup 2026 statistics:
- Goals: 1
- Transfers: 0
- Minutes played: 405
In a tournament where stars such as Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane have excelled, 18-year-old Lamin Yamal has scored just one goal to date in a routine 4-0 group win over Saudi Arabia.
Despite this, Barcelona’s youth sensation remains a key attacking threat for La Roja and scored against France in the Euro 2024 semi-final.
He was named man of the match for his performance in Spain’s quarter-final win over Belgium and also recorded the most successful dribbles of the tournament to date.
“I know I can contribute even if I don’t score. I know my movements attract a lot of opponents, so I do everything I can to help the team,” Yamal said after Spain’s win over Belgium.
Mikel Oyarzabal (left) celebrates scoring his team’s first goal in the round of 16 match between Spain and Austria (Etienne Laurent/AFP)
Mikel Oyarzabal
World Cup 2026 statistics:
- Goals: 4
- Gears: 1
- Minutes played: 519
The Real Sociedad striker is Spain’s top scorer at this World Cup and will be La Roja’s best hope for goals in Tuesday’s semi-final.
He scored six goals in six games during World Cup qualifying and then scored four goals in the tournament itself.
Oyarzabal also has a history of scoring important goals late in tournaments. He scored the winner in the 86th minute against England in the Euro 2024 final, proving he can perform under pressure on the biggest stage.
La Roja is hoping for the same this week.
Mikel Merino celebrates scoring his team’s second goal against Belgium in the quarter-finals
(Paul Ellis/AFP)
Mikel Merino
World Cup 2026 statistics:
- Goals: 2
- Transfers: 0
- Minutes played: 180
If Spain need a goal against France in the closing stages of the semi-final, Luis de la Fuente will turn to one man on his bench.
Mikel Merino has played a super-sub role twice at this World Cup, coming off the bench to score the winners in matches against Portugal and Belgium.
The Arsenal midfielder is unlikely to start against Les Bleus on Tuesday, but he remains a key player for Spain and will pose a real threat against tired legs towards the end of the match.