{"id":7859,"date":"2026-07-13T17:35:15","date_gmt":"2026-07-13T17:35:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pronews.in\/index.php\/2026\/07\/13\/fifa-world-cup-key-players-to-watch-as-france-play-spain-in-semifinal\/"},"modified":"2026-07-13T17:35:15","modified_gmt":"2026-07-13T17:35:15","slug":"fifa-world-cup-key-players-to-watch-as-france-play-spain-in-semifinal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pronews.in\/index.php\/2026\/07\/13\/fifa-world-cup-key-players-to-watch-as-france-play-spain-in-semifinal\/","title":{"rendered":"FIFA World Cup: Key players to watch as France play Spain in semifinal"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<p><a target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-label href=\"http:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/fifa-world-cup-2026\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" height=\"22.5\" width=\"222.75\" src=\"http:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Post-Label-Image-Option-1-1780213226.png?fit=396%2C40&#038;quality=80\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"World Cup 2026 post label\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p><em>Spain-France clash is filled with superstars like Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Lamine Yamal, among others.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div aria-live=\"polite\" aria-atomic=\"true\">\n<p>European giants France and Spain will compete for a place in the World Cup final on Tuesday, as the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/sports\/2026\/7\/12\/france-spain-fifa-world-cup-semifinals-mbappe-yamal-prediction-stats-venue\">first semifinal<\/a> kicks off in Dallas.<\/p>\n<p>Both sides have some star names among their ranks, with the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise and Lamine Yamal set to play a key role in securing their country\u2019s place in Sunday\u2019s final.<\/p>\n<section>\n<h2>Recommended Stories <\/h2>\n<p><span>list of 4 items<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span>list 1 of 4<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/sports\/2026\/7\/13\/argentina-england-fifa-world-cup-semifinal-prediction-messi-kane-venue\">England and Argentina renew rivalry: All to know about World Cup semifinal<\/a><\/li>\n<li><span>list 2 of 4<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/news\/2026\/7\/13\/gianni-infantino-64-teams-expansion-comments-fifa-2030-world-cup\">Will the 2030 World Cup expand to 64 teams? What FIFA\u2019s Infantino says<\/a><\/li>\n<li><span>list 3 of 4<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/sports\/2026\/7\/13\/france-spain-world-cup-semifinal-mbappe-yamal-predictions-kickoff\">World Cup Preview: France and Spain clash in all-European blockbuster semi<\/a><\/li>\n<li><span>list 4 of 4<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/sports\/2026\/7\/11\/fifa-to-sell-pieces-of-world-cup-final-stadium-pitch-could-earn-millions\">FIFA to sell pieces of World Cup final stadium pitch, could earn millions<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span>end of list<\/span><\/section>\n<p>Here\u2019s a closer look at some of the key players who will decide Tuesday\u2019s first semifinal.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4755744\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4755744\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/2026-07-05T235817Z_1056462445_MT1USATODAY29336560_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-FIFA-WORLD-CUP-2026-ROUND-OF-16-PARAGUAY-V-FRANCE-1783644080.jpg?w=770&#038;resize=770%2C513&#038;quality=80\" alt=\"Kylian Mbappe in action against Paraguay during their round of 16 match\" fetchpriority=\"low\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4755744\">Kylian Mbappe in action against Paraguay during their round of 16 match [Bill Streicher\/Reuters]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"kylian-mbappe\">Kylian Mbappe<\/h2>\n<p><strong>World Cup 2026 statistics:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Goals: 8<\/li>\n<li>Assists: 3<\/li>\n<li>Minutes played: 563<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The French captain has been in remarkable form at this World Cup, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/sports\/2026\/7\/10\/which-records-has-frances-kylian-mbappe-broken-at-fifa-world-cup-2026\">breaking numerous records<\/a> along the way.<\/p>\n<p>After bagging four goals in the group stages, Mbappe has now scored in every knockout round so far, and he has also provided a number of assists.<\/p>\n<p>The Real Madrid forward is in the form of his life and is the biggest threat in a star-studded Les Bleus XI.<\/p>\n<p>After scoring a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/sports\/2022\/12\/18\/france-fans-hail-mbappes-dazzling-world-cup-final-performance\">hat-trick in a World Cup final<\/a> loss to Argentina in Qatar, Mbappe will be determined to go one step further this year.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4765637\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4765637\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/2026-07-05T235323Z_2090613564_MT1USATODAY29336521_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-FIFA-WORLD-CUP-2026-ROUND-OF-16-PARAGUAY-V-FRANCE-1783931451.jpg?w=770&#038;resize=770%2C547&#038;quality=80\" alt=\"Michael Olise in action against Paraguay\" fetchpriority=\"low\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4765637\">Michael Olise in action against Paraguay [Bill Streicher\/Reuters]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"michael-olise\">Michael Olise<\/h2>\n<p><strong>World Cup 2026 statistics:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Goals: 0<\/li>\n<li>Assists: 5<\/li>\n<li>Minutes played: 488<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Michael Olise may not have got himself on the scoresheet at this World Cup so far, but he is the player that has provided the most assists.<\/p>\n<p>He has set up five goals for France, and his partnership with Mbappe has been a highlight of the tournament.<\/p>\n<p>The Bayern Munich midfielder has the technical ability to unlock defences, and he will be a key attacking threat in the semifinal with Spain.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4765646\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4765646\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/2026-07-09T213804Z_610104574_UP1EM791O3FJZ_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-WORLDCUP-FRA-MAR-1783931627.jpg?w=770&#038;resize=770%2C508&#038;quality=80\" alt=\"France\u2019s Ousmane Dembele celebrates scoring their second goal against Morocco\" fetchpriority=\"low\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4765646\">France\u2019s Ousmane Dembele celebrates scoring their second goal against Morocco [Mike Segar\/Reuters]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"ousmane-dembele\">Ousmane Dembele<\/h2>\n<p><strong>World Cup 2026 statistics:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Goals: 5<\/li>\n<li>Assists: 2<\/li>\n<li>Minutes played: 492<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The dynamic Paris-Saint Germain (PSG) forward came into this tournament looking for his first-ever World Cup goal. He now has five of them.<\/p>\n<p>He scored a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/sports\/2026\/6\/26\/dembele-scores-hat-trick-as-france-beat-norway-4-1-at-world-cup-2026\">first-half hat-trick<\/a> in a group game with Norway and also bagged the second in France\u2019s 2-0 win over Morocco in the quarterfinals.<\/p>\n<p>Les Bleus have been having their own Golden Boot competition, with Dembele pushing Mbappe all the way.<\/p>\n<p>The pair have now scored 13 goals between them at this World Cup, a feat that has not been achieved by two players from the same country since Brazil\u2019s Ronaldo and Rivaldo in 2002.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4758561\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4758561\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/2026-07-10T211024Z_1949650649_UP1EM7A1MTBSB_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-WORLDCUP-ESP-BEL-1783725085.jpg?w=770&#038;resize=770%2C529&#038;quality=80\" alt=\"Spain\u2019s Lamine Yamal celebrates after the match as Spain qualify for the semifinals\" fetchpriority=\"low\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4758561\">Spain\u2019s Lamine Yamal celebrates after the match as Spain qualify for the semifinals [Gary Vasquez\/Reuters]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"lamine-yamal\">Lamine Yamal<\/h2>\n<p><strong>World Cup 2026 statistics:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Goals: 1<\/li>\n<li>Assists: 0<\/li>\n<li>Minutes played: 405<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>At a tournament where stars like Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane have been prolific, 18-year-old Lamine Yamal has just one goal to date, in a routine <a href=\"http:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/sports\/2026\/6\/21\/spain-thrash-saudi-arabia-as-lamine-yamal-off-mark-at-world-cup-2026\">4-0 group drubbing of Saudi Arabia<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Despite this, the Barcelona teenage sensation remains a key attacking threat for La Roja and scored against France in the semifinals of Euro 2024.<\/p>\n<p>He was awarded player of the match for his performance in <a href=\"http:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/sports\/liveblog\/2026\/7\/10\/spain-vs-belgium-live-fifa-world-cup-2026-quarterfinal\">Spain\u2019s quarterfinal win over Belgium<\/a>, and he has also recorded the most successful dribbles at the tournament so far.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI know I can contribute even if I don\u2019t score. I know my movements draw in many opponents, so I do everything I can to help the team,\u201d Yamal said after Spain\u2019s victory over Belgium.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4727833\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4727833\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AFP__20260702__B94788L__v1__HighRes__FblWc2026Match84EspAut-1783021610.jpg?w=770&#038;resize=770%2C513&#038;quality=80\" alt=\"Mikel Oyarzabal, left, celebrates scoring his team\u2019s first goal during the round of 32 match between Spain and Austria\" fetchpriority=\"low\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4727833\">Mikel Oyarzabal, left, celebrates scoring his team\u2019s first goal during the round of 32 match between Spain and Austria [Etienne Laurent\/AFP]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"mikel-oyarzabal\">Mikel Oyarzabal<\/h2>\n<p><strong>World Cup 2026 statistics:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Goals: 4<\/li>\n<li>Assists: 1<\/li>\n<li>Minutes played: 519<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The Real Sociedad forward is Spain\u2019s top scorer at this World Cup, and he will be La Roja\u2019s biggest hope for goals in Tuesday\u2019s semifinal.<\/p>\n<p>He scored six goals in six games during World Cup qualification and has followed that up with four goals at the tournament proper.<\/p>\n<p>Oyarzabal also has experience of scoring crucial goals at the business end of tournaments. He bagged an 86th-minute winner against England in the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/sports\/liveblog\/2024\/7\/14\/live-spain-vs-england-uefa-euro-2024-final\">Euro 2024 final<\/a>, proving he can perform under pressure on the biggest stage.<\/p>\n<p>La Roja will hope for more of the same this week.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4759206\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4759206\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AFP__20260710__B9W36VR__v2__HighRes__TopshotFblWc2026Match98EspBel-1783755910.jpg?w=770&#038;resize=770%2C513&#038;quality=80\" alt=\"Mikel Merino celebrates scoring his team\u2019s second goal against Belgium in the quarterfinals\" fetchpriority=\"low\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4759206\">Mikel Merino celebrates scoring his team\u2019s second goal against Belgium in the quarterfinals<br \/>[Paul Ellis\/AFP]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"mikel-merino\">Mikel Merino<\/h2>\n<p><strong>World Cup 2026 statistics:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Goals: 2<\/li>\n<li>Assists: 0<\/li>\n<li>Minutes played: 180<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If Spain need a goal against France in the closing stages of the semifinal, then Luis de la Fuente will be turning to one man on his bench.<\/p>\n<p>Mikel Merino has twice played the role of super-sub at this World Cup, coming off the bench to score late winners against <a href=\"http:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/sports\/2026\/7\/6\/late-spain-goal-eliminates-portugal-ends-ronaldos-international-career\">Portugal<\/a> and Belgium.<\/p>\n<p>The Arsenal midfielder is unlikely to start against Les Bleus on Tuesday, but he remains a key part of Spain\u2019s squad and will pose a real threat against tired legs towards the end of the match.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Spain-France clash is filled with superstars like Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Lamine Yamal, among others. European giants France and Spain will compete for a place in the World Cup final on Tuesday, as the first semifinal kicks off in Dallas. Both sides have some star names among their ranks, with the likes of Kylian &#8230; <a title=\"FIFA World Cup: Key players to watch as France play Spain in semifinal\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/pronews.in\/index.php\/2026\/07\/13\/fifa-world-cup-key-players-to-watch-as-france-play-spain-in-semifinal\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about FIFA World Cup: Key players to watch as France play Spain in semifinal\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7860,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7859","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pronews.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7859","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pronews.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pronews.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pronews.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pronews.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7859"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/pronews.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7859\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pronews.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7860"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pronews.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7859"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pronews.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7859"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pronews.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7859"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}