2026 World Cup: Spain boss Luis de la Fuente facing "dilemma" for semi-final vs. France

Ahead of Spain's 2026 World Cup semi-final against France, Sports Mole's Senior Reporter Oliver Thomas discusses whether Mikel Merino could travel into the La Roja XI.

Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter: "It's a tricky one"

It's a tricky one. It's a dilemma that De la Fuente faces earlier this semi-final. 

I think it's a akin dilemma that Julian Nagelsmann faced with Germany and Dennis Undav earlier successful the tourney erstwhile helium was having such a immense impact off the seat during the radical stage. 

Merino has now established himself arsenic Spain's ace sub. De la Fuente whitethorn consciousness connected the 1 manus that Merino is doing good successful his existent relation arsenic this ace sub. 

Some volition think, wherefore alteration him when he's performing good arsenic a finisher, arsenic a caller look coming disconnected the seat successful the second stages of games? 

But connected the different hand, immoderate volition deliberation that maybe he could lend for Spain earlier successful matches if helium gets a start. 

For me, it's not needfully astir rewarding Merino with a commencement aft what he's produced disconnected the bench. It's all astir what suits the team. 

If Merino were to commencement and helium doesn't rather person the aforesaid interaction arsenic helium would person liked, and the manager past looks to bring him off, volition Spain person different ace sub to telephone upon? 

Is determination different ace up their sleeve, oregon should Merino stay the antheral to travel disconnected the seat and supply thing different? 

Interestingly, Merino did commencement successful midfield successful the past crippled betwixt Spain and France, astatine that 5-4 Nations League win. He started up of some Olmo and Fabian Ruiz. 

But I personally deliberation that De la Fuente volition consciousness that his existent strategy works champion with Olmo arsenic the precocious midfielder to statesman with, and Merino held backmost arsenic a ace sub, arsenic a precocious crippled weapon. 

If Spain bash privation to interruption down this France side, who person this strong centre-back pairing of Saliba and Upamecano, they'll need the playmaking abilities of players similar Olmo and Pedri successful and astir the box, with Rodri deeper dictating play from midfield. 

And arsenic the crippled goes on, if Spain are successful request of a extremity and arsenic players statesman to fatigue, you tin look to bring connected a antithetic profile, a subordinate similar Merino. 

His question successful and astir the container successful the last third, his runs successful behind defences, is truly impressive. I think that's the attack Spain are much apt to take, sticking with the plan that's got them this far. 

It's great for Spain to person these options. These are bully dilemmas for Spain to have, and Spain are pretty overmuch guaranteed to sanction a beardown starting lineup fixed the spot and extent they have. 

The aforesaid tin beryllium said for France, and some teams volition request to beryllium connected apical of their crippled for this one. Hopefully we'll beryllium blessed with a truly entertaining semi-final.