Spain advanced to the 2026 World Cup final after defeating France, 2-0, in the semifinals on Tuesday, ending the French bid for another title and setting up the final match of manager Didier Deschamps’ tenure. 

Prior to the start of the World Cup, Deschamps announced his plans to step down as France’s manager afterward. France will now move on to the third-place match on Saturday against either England or Argentina, which will serve as Deschamps’ final match in charge of the French national team.

Deschamps took over the French national team in 2012, leading the country through its most consistent era of modern success. 

Under his leadership, France won the 2018 World Cup in Russia and the 2021 UEFA Nations League, while also reaching the finals of Euro 2016 and the 2022 World Cup. Over Deschamps’ career, he has 20 victories at the World Cup and 10 at the knockout stage, both the most of any manager in the history of the tournament.

His departure after the upcoming third-place match will conclude a 14-year reign as head coach.

Zinedine Zidane earned 108 caps for France and won the 1998 World Cup, scoring a brace in the final. (Photo by Pablo Rodriguez/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)

–>

According to ESPN, Zinedine Zidane will succeed Deschamps as the France national team head coach this summer. A verbal agreement has already been reached between the former Real Madrid manager and the French Football Federation (FFF).

The final details of the contract are yet to be finalized.

This succession follows comments from FFF president Philippe Diallo, who told French newspaper Le Figaro that he already knew who Deschamps’ successor would be, though he declined to name Zidane publicly at the time.

Zidane previously coached Real Madrid Castilla from 2014-2016 before coaching the first team from 2016-2018 and again from 2019-2021.

Didier Deschamps: The Architect Behind France’s Third Straight FIFA World Cup™ Semifinal 🇫🇷

–>

Source

Spain secured its spot in the FIFA World Cup final with a convincing 2-0 victory over France in Dallas, and FOX Sports analyst Landon Donovan came away highly impressed with the performance of Lamine Yamal.

Speaking after the match, the former United States men’s national team star observed the defensive fears Yamal caused for the French side whenever he was on the ball, pointing out his decision-making in possession.

“Every time he gets the ball, there’s this real fear in the French team, and his decision-making as to when to just pass quickly and then everybody relaxes, or he starts to go at you, and he mixed it up perfectly all night,” Donovan said.

Yamal didn’t score or have an assist in Tuesday’s match. However, he helped set up Spain’s first goal when France defender Lucas Digne fouled him in the penalty box. Yamal nearly scored as well, putting a shot past France goalkeeper Mike Maignan. The goal was called off, though, as Yamal was slightly offside. 

The LA Galaxy legend highlighted Yamal’s growth over the course of the tournament, noting how the young player’s physical recovery from a pre-tournament hamstring injury has matched his rising form.

“He was fantastic,” Donovan said. “He drew the penalty. He hasn’t been the goalscorer we’ve expected this tournament, but as he’s gotten healthier throughout the tournament, he’s gotten better and better.”

Donovan also pointed out the winger’s involvement in Spain’s offense against France, noting that Spain’s attacking threat consistently focused on his wing.

“Both goals came down that side,” Donovan said. “Plus the goal he scored that was a little bit offside. He was great. He was fantastic.”

With the victory, Spain advances to the final, where it will face the winner of the semifinal between Argentina and England.

Source

–> [–>

With France’s 2026 FIFA World Cup run ending in the semifinals on Tuesday, Kylian Mbappé will have to wait four more years for another chance at his second World Cup title. 

France fell to Spain 2-0 in the semifinals, denying Mbappé a third straight World Cup final appearance after reaching the championship match in both 2018 and 2022.

When he burst onto the scene in 2018, Mbappé was just 19 years old. He became the youngest French player ever to score at a World Cup and only the second teenager in history to score in a World Cup final, joining Pelé’s iconic feat in 1958.

Now, eight years later, the French superstar has broken all different kinds of World Cup records. 

Here’s a detailed look at Mbappé’s performance across his first three World Cup appearances, along with the records he has already set during his remarkable international career. Keep in mind, he can add to these totals with France’s third-place match still to come, on July 18. 

This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.

Career World Cup Records

• Kylian Mbappé has scored 20 goals in 21 World Cup games overall, the second-most all-time behind Lionel Messi (21).
• He has 12 knockout stage goals at the World Cup, the most of any player all-time.
• He is the first player ever to score eight goals in two separate World Cups.
• Mbappé has scored multiple goals in seven World Cup matches, more than any player ever.
• He has 11 goals and three assists in his last eight World Cup matches.
• His 17 non-penalty goals are tied for the most in World Cup history with Messi.
• Mbappé has been involved in 11 goals at the 2026 World Cup (eight goals, three assists); that’s the most by a player in a single edition of the World Cup since Gerd Müller in 1970 (10 goals, three assists).
• He has registered 10 goal involvements in each of his last two World Cups; he and Messi are the only players on record since 1966 to achieve this in two different tournaments.
• He is the first player to be involved in 100 goals for the French national team (64 goals, 36 assists).

Kylian Mbappé has scored 20 goals in 21 World Cup games overall, the second-most all-time behind Lionel Messi (Getty Images).

–>

• Mbappé has scored the winning goal in eight World Cup matches, the most of any player in history.
• He passed Hugo Lloris for the most World Cup appearances in French history with 21.
• He played 21 World Cup matches under Didier Deschamps, the most by a player with the same coach in tournament history.
• He’s won 17 of 21 World Cup matches he’s played in, losing to Tunisia (2022 group stage), Spain (2026 semifinal), and drawing against Denmark (2018 group stage) and Argentina (2026 final).
• Against Morocco, Kylian Mbappé (27 years, 201 days) became the youngest player to reach 20 appearances at the World Cup, breaking Władysław Żmuda’s record (28 years, 34 days).
• Mbappé has scored 64 goals for France, more than any player in team history.
• His 105 appearances for France are the ninth-most in team history.
• He is currently +200 to win the Golden Boot at FanDuel Sportsbook, the second-best odds of any player, trailing Lionel Messi (-175).

2026 World Cup

• Eight goals, three assists
• 16 chances created, 14 key passes
• 41 take-ons, 131 passes in the attacking third
• 52 touches in the opposition’s box

2022 World Cup

• Eight goals, two assists
• 11 chances created, nine key passes 
• 56 take-ons, 123 passes in the attacking third
• 68 touches in the opposition’s box
• Golden Boot, Silver Ball

2018 World Cup

• Four goals, no assists
• 10 chances created, 10 key passes 
• 52 take-ons, 70 passes in the attacking third
• 36 touches in the opposition’s box
• Young Player of the Tournament

recommended

[–>Arrow pointing to the leftArrow pointing to the right

Item 1 of 3

Get more from the FIFA Men’s World Cup Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more [–>

Source

Comments from England head coach Thomas Tuchel slightly overshadowed Jude Bellingham’s two goals against Norway last week.

Bellingham now has six goals at this World Cup and has had a remarkable tournament, coming up huge in the most crucial moments when England has needed him the most. With back-to-back two-goal games in the Round of 16 and quarterfinals, he has been one of the biggest reasons England is now in the semifinals.

But after England’s quarterfinal win over Norway, Tuchel was critical of the performance from a quality and technical standpoint, saying England “made life very difficult for us in the way we played, how we played, sloppy, a lot of technical mistakes, not fast enough. We were lucky today.”

Tuchel added, “It’s a pure mentality thing; there was no mentality problem. You could bottle it up and sell it,” Tuchel said. “It’s the quality of our games. It’s nothing to do with mentality; it’s about quality. We need to play better.”

When Bellingham was asked about Tuchel’s criticism, he said, “Maybe he doesn’t know what it’s like to play in those conditions,” before praising Norway as a difficult team to face and noting the heat in Miami.

FOX Sports analyst Zlatan Ibrahimović believes the full context of Tuchel’s comments may not have been presented to Bellingham by the reporter, which played a part in Bellingham’s response.

“I think it’s misinformation, because if Jude would have seen the interview with Tuchel, he would have answered differently — 100%,” Ibrahimović said.

Thierry Henry agreed with Zlatan’s sentiment, but also believed the back-and-forth was nothing major. Henry said there are no issues in the England camp and that the attention should be on the game itself, especially with the rivalry between England and Argentina ahead of their semifinal at Atlanta Stadium on Wednesday, July 15.

“Nothing has changed for me,” Henry said. “If you want to see what I’ve said, watch it again.

“We need to talk about the game. That’s the most important thing. What animosity? There is no animosity in there. There is nothing in there. And I agree with Zlatan. He didn’t know how it was phrased to Tuchel. That’s about it. I’ll leave it there.”

“They’re playing well in the way that they want to play,” Henry added. “They’re fighting and coming back. We’ll think about the style later on.”

FOX Sports analyst Alexi Lalas had no issue with the back-and-forth between Bellingham and Tuchel.

“I don’t think it’s a problem. I actually love it,” Lalas said.

“I think it’s important for Tuchel to do something a little different in terms of the way that he reacted and make sure that the players know that they have plenty of work to do, and that they can and must get better if they ever hope to have it coming home.

“And I love the fact that Jude stood up for himself and stood up for his teammates. So, I don’t think the dynamic changes. I still think that they respect each other, even though they disagree with each other, maybe in this instance.”

England will take on Argentina on Wednesday, July 15, at Atlanta Stadium for a spot in the World Cup final on Sunday, July 19, at New York/New Jersey Stadium. Spain has already confirmed its spot in the final after beating France in the other semifinal in Dallas.

]–>

Source

Close your eyes and picture Spain in a World Cup final. You see Andrés Iniesta ghosting into the box in Johannesburg. You see Xavi conducting, David Villa finishing, Sergio Ramos flying down the right, Iker Casillas saving Spain’s life against Arjen Robben. That team won everything from 2008 to 2012 and changed how the sport thinks about itself. 

It was the team with the most recognizable style: Tiki-Taka.

Spain Waited too Long for This One 🇪🇸 No. 9 in Best FIFA World Cup™ Moments

–>

This Spain is not that Spain. And after Tuesday at Dallas Stadium, it doesn’t need to be. Luis de la Fuente’s side dismantled France, 2-0, in the semifinal, and “dismantled” is being kind to France. 

A Mikel Oyarzabal penalty, won by Lamine Yamal, opened it in the 22nd minute. Pedro Porro, a right back, played a give-and-go with Dani Olmo and slotted the second in the 58th. Kylian Mbappé and the most feared attack in the tournament were held to almost nothing. It was a suffocation, administered the Spanish way.

Here’s the number that should terrify Argentina or England on Sunday: 1. That’s how many goals Spain has conceded in six matches. Italy arrived at the 2006 final with the same figure (granted, an own goal by Cristian Zaccardo against the USA) and left with the trophy. 

(Photo by Hannah Peters – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

–>

Championship teams are usually built on this exact foundation, and nobody noticed Spain was building it because everyone was too busy waiting for the fireworks on the other end.

Because let’s be honest about what we all expected: We thought Lamine Yamal would be one of the big stars of this tournament. Instead, the 19-year-old has just one goal through seven games, perhaps lingering remnants of the injury he suffered during the La Liga season prevent him from achieving his very best. 

Read that again. 

Spain is in a World Cup final, and its biggest star’s sole goal came way back in the group stage. If you’d offered that scenario in May, you’d have been looked at like you had three heads. There’s still no true signature Yamal moment, as it’s doubtful we’ll be gushing over that goal against Saudi Arabia in 20 years. He’s been dangerous, he won the penalty Tuesday, he had a finish chalked off for offside. 

But the eruption hasn’t come. Even more impressively, Spain hasn’t needed it.

That’s the point. This team hasn’t even played its best soccer yet, and it’s one win from the trophy.

One of the stars has been Rodri, who controlled the France match from start to finish and has been the tournament’s Mr. Reliable. The captain doesn’t do highlight reels. He doesn’t go viral on TikTok. He doesn’t frost his tips. What Rodri does is 90 minutes of making the game look easy while the opponent slowly runs out of ideas.

And the defense deserves flowers. Pau Cubarsí, still a teenager himself who wouldn’t legally be able to celebrate these victories here in the USA with a beer, treated the France front line like a training exercise. Unai Simón has been unbeatable. Marc Cucurella looked unfazed against the generational opponents running at him. 

The fullbacks bombed forward against that legendary French counterattack all night and never once looked worried about the space behind them. Pedro Porro’s goal was the reward. That takes either arrogance or total structural trust. With this Spain, it’s the latter.

Remember where this program was. From 2014 onward, the World Cup became a house of horrors: a group-stage exit as defending champions, then back-to-back round of 16 eliminations on penalties, the last one against Morocco in 2022. A generation of Spanish teams passed the ball beautifully and went home early. 

Euro 2024 broke the spell. Sunday can bury it.

The 2010 Spain team remains the standard. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

–>

The golden generation had more individual talent. No rational soul disputes that. But that team needed extra time to win its final. This one has been so efficient, so ruthless in the back, that its best attacking player has taken a back seat to scoring, and it barely matters.

Villa, Xavi, Iniesta, Ramos, Casillas. Those names built a legacy. They created an international dynasty. On Sunday for the final, the new kids on the block get the chance to start their own. 

And if Yamal finally picks that stage for his big moment, this story writes its perfect ending.

France vs Spain Highlights 2026 FIFA World Cup™ | Semifinals

–>

Source

Spain has clinched its spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final after a 2-0 win over France on Tuesday, adding to the team’s long list of achievements in the sport, at every level.

“Women’s football, youth tournaments, Olympics — I lost a final to them,” World Cup winner Thierry Henry said of Spain after the match. “Time and time and time again, they’re coming.

“They have an identity, a philosophy, they all play the same way at every level.”

(Photo by Juan Luis Diaz/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)

–>

In the last three years, the men’s national team has won the 2023 UEFA Nations League, the 2024 European Championship and the gold medal at the 2024 Olympics. Spain is almost in the midst of the longest unbeaten streak in the history of international soccer with 37 games unbeaten.

Spain DOMINATES Against Mbappé & France 🇪🇸 Will Spain Win FIFA World Cup™ Final?

–>

The women’s national team, meanwhile, won its first ever World Cup in 2023 and a UEFA Nationals League title in 2025. It made the final of the 2025 European Championship but lost to England in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw.

Their shared success isn’t a coincidence, according to Henry.

“They have an identity, a philosophy, they all play the same way at every level,” Henry said. “The coach knows exactly how the system is, you can see, this is a team with stars on it.”

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente’s has coached 14 total matches across the World Cup and Euros, and he’s won 13 and tied one, which is the most matches coached without losing for a European coach. Before he took over Spain’s men’s national team, he coached Spain at the youth levels —U19, U21 and U23 — for nine years.

(Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images)

–>

Henry believes that De la Fuente’s ability to enjoy immediate success at the senior level is a testament to Spain’s tactical philosophy.

“When Spain has the ball, they don’t give you the ball back, you have to go and get it,” Henry said. “I want to give credit to the system and what they put in place. Because Spain never used to win like that. And now they win at every level.”

Spain will play the winner of Argentina vs. England for the World Cup title on Sunday at New York New Jersey Stadium.

France vs Spain Extended Highlights 2026 FIFA World Cup™ | Semifinals

–>

Source

DALLAS STADIUM — Long after the final whistle — as the lawnmowers came out to maintain the grass and broadcast crews were in the middle of their stand-ups — Spain fans remained. They were dancing and singing and chanting.

“Ole! Ole! Ole!” rang throughout the stadium where their team had just delivered a commanding performance, defeating mighty France, 2-0, to book a spot in the program’s second-ever World Cup final.

This was the third straight summer Spain has knocked France out in the semifinals of a major tournament: There was the 2-1 victory at Euro 2024, then a thrilling 5-4 win in last year’s Nations League, and now Tuesday’s triumph behind goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro in front of 70,176 fans at the home of the Dallas Cowboys.

La Roja are riding a 37-game unbeaten streak, and there’s an overwhelming sense that it will keep growing.

“It’s a dream come true,” an elated Porro said after the match via interpreter. “I couldn’t even dream of this. I’m so happy. I’m so happy because of the team’s attitude from beginning to end. We gave it our all in order to go through to the final.”

(Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

–>

Despite being Europe’s defending champion, Spain has been a bit overshadowed by other narratives at this World Cup. The spotlight, instead, has mostly been on Lionel Messi and Argentina’s improbable comebacks, England giving fans reason to believe again, Kylian Mbappé racing Messi for the Golden Boot and Erling Haaland capturing hearts of soccer fans everywhere. 

Spain hasn’t relied on flair or dramatic moments to get results. Instead, it’s been ruthlessly efficient, disciplined and organized, using an aggressive high press to neutralize one of the world’s most dangerous attacks. Mbappé, who entered the semifinal with eight goals, managed just three shots and none on target.

Spain has outscored its seven opponents, 13-1, and posted its record sixth shutout of this World Cup against a French side that had recorded 16 goals.

(Photo by Hannah Peters – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

–>

This squad is so dominant, it didn’t even need a heroic performance from teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, who is still waiting for his big moment. 

Yamal, who turned 19 on Monday, made a clever play to force a penalty in the first half that put Spain ahead early before having a goal called offside later on. They have such a wealth of depth that world-class players like Pedri, Nico Williams and Mikel Merino can come off the bench.

“We did it with discipline, being organized, with sacrifice, with commitment, with effort,” said Spanish manager Luis de la Fuente, who was late to his press conference because the team received a congratulatory call from King Felipe VI, the King of Spain. “I think that what we do best as Spanish football players is interpret and read the game. They know how to behave in defensive and offensive phases and in the midfield. 

“And that’s the fruits of our labor in the academies — all the coaches in Spain, we really value what we’re doing at that level. And this is another example that, in spite of being happy, we want more. And we want to take this World Cup and claim this title. That would be a really amazing achievement.”

(Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images)

–>

Spain’s control of the game frustrated France to the point that Les Bleus never even had a chance to mount a comeback. There have been plenty of examples this tournament of teams finding late goals and ways back into matches. France famously did it in the World Cup final four years ago and desperately hoped to do it again.

But this time, France failed to capitalize on an empty net in the 81st minute. Mbappé let his aggravation get the best of him when he was shown a yellow card in the 86th after colliding with goalkeeper Unai Simon, and three minutes later, he sent a free kick from just outside the box sailing over the crossbar. And now, the French superstar has to return to his Spanish club Real Madrid.

France, No. 1 in FIFA’s rankings entering the semifinals, was a popular pick to win it all and expected to reach its third straight World Cup final. It will play in the third-place match instead.

“We were below our standards,” French manager Didier Deschamps said via interpreter. “We should have been at our maximum and give it our all, and we did not, unfortunately.”

Spain will await the winner of Wednesday’s semifinal between Argentina and England. De la Fuente said he doesn’t care who wins. He’s friends with Lionel Scaloni, but thought the Three Lions were a favorite before the tournament began.

“When you’re facing a team like us,” de la Fuente said, “we’re unbeatable. And that’s how we’re feeling right now.”

France vs Spain Extended Highlights 2026 FIFA World Cup™ | Semifinals

–>

Source

Blue Jays right-hander Dylan Cease threw a scoreless first inning for the American League while mic’d up in the MLB All-Star Game.

While on the mound, Cease wore a microphone and communicated directly with Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers and Joe Davis and John Smoltz in the FOX broadcast booth. This allowed viewers to hear his thoughts and game strategy in real time as he faced batters.

Cease began the inning by facing Kyle Schwarber, whom he struck out swinging for the first out. He then faced Juan Soto and secured a second consecutive strikeout, also swinging, to quickly put two outs on the board. 

After tossing a pair of strikes to Soto, Cease could be heard asking, “Front door sinker is probably a bad idea, huh?” before responding to himself, “Let’s do it.”

Smoltz even called a pitch at one point during the inning.

The next batter, Freddie Freeman, drew a walk to temporarily extend the inning and put a runner on first base. Cease recovered by facing CJ Abrams, getting him to strike out swinging to end the inning and secure the final out.

Dylan Cease talks to starting catcher Shea Langeliers after a scoreless frame in the Midsummer Classic. (Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

–>

Cease has thrown 15 consecutive scoreless innings in his last two starts for Toronto, having allowed just four hits and four walks while striking out 20. He has been stellar in the first year of a seven-year contract he signed as a free agent during the offseason. In 17 starts, Cease has a 2.56 ERA with 148 strikeouts in 98 1/3 innings.

The American League took a lead in the first inning, scoring three runs off Phillies starter Cristopher Sanchez, who pitched in the top half of the frame for the National League.

Source

After recovering from a major ACL injury nearly two years ago, Spain midfielder Rodri has been able to make a huge impact as La Roja look to win its first World Cup since 2010. 

Havng endured a similar injury during his career, FOX Sports soccer analyst Zlatan Ibrahimović lauded the remarkable comeback Rodri has made from his injury.

“He’s a player that doesn’t get a lot of credit, gets unseen, but [he] won the Ballon d’Or, which is not normal for the position that he plays in,” Ibrahimović said following Spain’s semifinal win over France.

Ibrahimović continued to compliment Rodri’s skillset, saying that he not only “puts players around him on fire” but he can also “put out fires” for his multi-faceted leadership capabilities on the pitch. 

In 2024, Rodri ruptured his ACL while playing for Manchester City, undergoing surgery that saw him miss Spain’s title run at the 2024 Euros. He then made his competitive return in May 2025, receiving a standing ovation as he substituted in the 85th minute during City’s 3-1 win over Bournemouth. 

At this World Cup, Rodri started every game and has played almost every minute, missing only three throughout the entirety of the tournament. With this kind of consistency and health, it’s safe to say that Rodri is back and ready to compete at the highest level.

Spain DOMINATES Against Mbappé & France 🇪🇸 Will Spain Win FIFA World Cup™ Final?

–> ]–>

Source

Every team’s worst nightmare became the Tampa Bay Rays’ reality on Tuesday night, when third baseman Junior Caminero left the MLB All-Star Game after being hit by a pitch.

Caminero was hit in the hand in the top of the third inning. St. Louis Cardinals reliever Riley O’Brien threw the pitch that hit Caminero, who fell to the ground in pain after the ball made impact with his hand.

According to our Deesha Thosar, Caminero was set to get an X-ray at Citizens Bank Park with a Phillies team doctor. FOX’s Tom Verducci, though, said the scans were negative and Caminero is in the clear.

The third baseman from Santo Domingo was competing in his second All-Star game, and became the first player from the Rays to start in consecutive Midsummer Classics. In 94 games this season, Caminero has 28 home runs and 59 RBI. He ranks sixth in WAR at the break, according to FanGraphs.

Caminero has been a massive force behind the Rays’ success this season. At 23 years old, he’s helped the Rays sit in first in the AL East – leading the New York Yankees by three games – and accumulate a 56-38 record heading into the All-Star game. 

Caminero went on an absolute tear during the first half from late June to early July, hitting 11 home runs in as many games.

Source