France and Spain meet in the 2026 World Cup semifinal on Tuesday at 9:00 p.m. CET (3:00 p.m. Fans in Germany can watch the match live on ZDF, with coverage beginning at 8:15 p.m. CET, or via the Magenta TV subscription service.
Tournament Path and Team Form
Both nations enter the match following hard-fought victories in the quarterfinals. The match was decided in the 88th minute by Mikel Merino, who had entered the game just two minutes prior. This appearance marks only the second time in Spanish history that the national team has reached a World Cup semifinal, matching their 2010 run in South Africa, which culminated in a tournament title.
Under head coach Luis de la Fuente, Spain has balanced a potent attack led by Lamine Yamal with a disciplined defensive structure, conceding only one goal throughout the current tournament. In contrast, France maintains a high-scoring profile, advancing to the final four with a 2-0 victory over Morocco. Didier Deschamps’ squad has demonstrated significant offensive depth, led by Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise, and Kylian Mbappé, totaling 16 goals scored against only two conceded across their tournament campaign.
Broadcast Information and Coverage
The semifinal match in Dallas is available to viewers in Germany through multiple platforms. Public broadcaster ZDF will provide free-to-air coverage, including a livestream accessible via the ZDF Mediathek. The broadcast window opens at 8:15 p.m. CET, hosted by Katrin Müller-Hohenstein.
ZDF has confirmed an extensive commentary and analysis team for the broadcast. Former national team players Per Mertesacker and Christoph Kramer will provide tactical analysis alongside former coach Christian Streich and trainer Friederike Kromp. Gari Paubandt is set to provide match commentary. Additionally, the pay-TV provider Magenta TV will broadcast the match, maintaining its coverage of all tournament fixtures.
Tactical Stakes in Dallas
For France, the match represents an opportunity to return to the final, having reached the championship game four years ago in Qatar. For Spain, the focus remains on maintaining the defensive consistency that has defined their 2026 campaign while utilizing the depth of their bench, a strategy that proved decisive against Belgium.
The winner of Tuesday’s match will advance to the final to face the winner of the Argentina versus England semifinal.
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