14/07/2026 07:03 - Deportes
One of the most anticipated matches of the tournament will take place on July 14, 2026, when France and Spain meet for the World Cup semifinals. Both national teams reached this stage after overcoming tough obstacles in the knockout phase.
France comes off a 2-0 victory against Morocco, while Spain defeated Belgium 2-1. The winner of this matchup will secure their place in the grand final of the tournament.
Just days before the match, former Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy sparked a massive uproar by writing in the media outlet El Debate that the French football team plays without Frenchmen. His words were quickly condemned by French authorities, including ministers Laurent Nuñez and Éléonore Caroit, as well as Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and minister José Manuel Albares.
In response to the controversy, the French Embassy issued a statement to clarify the situation: out of the 26 players on the squad, 23 were born in France and only 3 were born abroad (Michael Olise, Marcus Thuram, and Brice Samba), although all hold French nationality.
Racial tension is unfortunately not new in this tournament. Previously, Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla made racist comments against Kylian Mbappé following Paraguay 1-0 defeat to France in the Round of 16. This off-field hostility adds an extra layer of tension to what already promises to be a top-tier sporting spectacle.
The match will be decided on the pitch, where the stars of both squads will look to guide their respective countries to glory and secure the coveted spot in the 2026 World Cup final.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
