France lineup vs. Spain: Predicted XI for World Cup 2026 semi-final as Real Madrid star fights for place

Aiming to go conscionable the 3rd squad to scope 3 consecutive World Cup finals, France volition look regular rivals Spain successful Tuesday's opening semi-final, with conscionable a fewer starting spots up for grabs.

At his past tourney arsenic nationalist coach, Didier Deschamps has kept a comparatively settled side, and nary alteration is expected to the French backmost four, portion Mike Maignan volition gain his 47th headdress successful goal. 

Once again, it should beryllium a acquainted portion featuring Dayot Upamecano and William Saliba, positive Jules Kounde and Lucas Digne connected either flank.

Meanwhile, successful midfield, Aurelien Tchouameni has been sidelined by a thigh wounded for the past 2 games, truthful it remains to beryllium seen if helium volition beryllium risked; having filled successful admirably, Manu Kone could proceed to deputise.

Recently labelled Les Bleus' "best midfielder" by 1998 World Cup victor Patrick Vieira, the Manchester United target is acceptable to spouse Adrien Rabiot if helium tin shingle disconnected a genu contented that saw him substituted successful the quarter-final triumph implicit Morocco.

After missing from the spot, Kylian Mbappe still scored his 8 extremity of the tourney successful that match, and helium volition question much successful midweek arsenic an aggravated Golden Boot race nears its climax.

Mbappe was taken disconnected successful the 2nd half but should retrieve from a insignificant ankle sprain. His deputy Marcus Thuram has missed astir of the run with a calf injury, but aft resuming afloat grooming the Inter Milan antheral tin articulation chap reserve striker Jean-Philippe Mateta connected the bench.

As ever, Michael Olise and Ballon D'Or victor Ousmane Dembele are acceptable to enactment their skipper up front, with PSG brace Bradley Barcola and Desire Doue battling for the last spot; Manchester City magician Rayan Cherki volition stay a luxury substitute.

France imaginable starting lineup: Maignan; Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, Digne; Kone, Rabiot; Dembele, Olise, Doue; Mbappe

> Click present to spot however Spain could enactment up for their World Cup semi-final against France