France vs Spain World Cup 2026 semi-final kickoff time announced

France and Spain will clash in a World Cup group‑stage encounter that kicks off at 2 pm local time (3 pm EST, 8 pm BST, 5 am AEST). The two nations have met only once before on the world stage, a 20‑year‑old fixture that saw France dominate the 1984 European Championship final, the 2000 quarter‑finals, and other key moments. The upcoming match will be the first time the teams have faced each other in a World Cup since that historic encounter.

In recent tournament football, Spain has generally held the upper hand. The Spanish side reached the 2012 European Championship quarter‑finals and the 2024 semi‑finals, and delivered a dramatic 5‑4 win in last year’s Nations League semi‑final. France, meanwhile, captured the 2021 Nations League title, underscoring its own recent pedigree. Both squads enter the match with a strong track record of success in major competitions, setting the stage for a high‑profile showdown.

The encounter promises to be a showcase of two of Europe’s top footballing nations, each with a wealth of recent achievements. As the world watches, the outcome will not only affect group standings but also provide a narrative on how the two sides compare in the current era of international football.