FIFA President Gianni Infantino has congratulated Spain after they defeated France in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final in Dallas, booking their first final appearance in 16 years. Goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro sealed a 2-0 victory for La Roja, ending France's tournament run.
Spain Returns to World Cup Final After 16-Year Wait
The victory marks Spain's first World Cup final since they lifted the trophy in South Africa in 2010. The European champions, led by coach Luis de la Fuente, will now face either England or Argentina in the final on July 19.
Infantino shared a message on his Instagram page, writing: "Spain are FIFA World Cup finalists! A memorable win confirms their place in Sunday's global showpiece as they see off a strong France team in what was a spectacular FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi-Final in Dallas."
Supercomputer Predicts Spain as Favorites
According to sports data provider Opta, Spain entered the tournament as overwhelming favorites and now have a 55% chance of winning the trophy after reaching the final. The prediction comes after Spain's dominant performance against France, which saw them control possession and create numerous chances.
The semi-final victory also highlighted the depth of Spain's squad, with Oyarzabal and Porro stepping up in key moments. France, who were defending champions from 2018, saw their campaign end at the semi-final stage for the second consecutive tournament.
Spain will now prepare for the final, awaiting the outcome of the second semi-final between England and Argentina. The match is scheduled for Sunday, July 19, at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas.
