France are the tournament favourites but face a massive test in the current European champions Spain, who beat them en route to that title as well as in the Nations League semi-finals last year.
France and Spain last met in the Nations League semi-finals in June 2025 and on that occasion Spain ran out 5-4 winners.
That thrilling encounter was Spain’s third win in the past four meetings with their European rivals but things should be much closer when they meet at Dallas Stadium on Tuesday.
A World Cup semi-final bears much more importance than the Nations League and both sides will be looking to keep things as tight as possible.
It is an intriguing contest between two unbeaten teams at this World Cup, and we’ve analysed the stats and browsed the World Cup betting markets for a bet builder which, if successful, returns odds of around 14/1 with Betway.
France v Spain bet builder tips
Heavyweights to slug it out
France and Spain are unbeaten at this World Cup but they have built their challenges with contrasting tactics.
Les Bleus are all about their ferocious attack and they have made the most of their rich array of talent by scoring 16 goals across their six matches.
Spain are all about defence and they boast a competition-best of one-goal conceded so far.
If any side can shut out France then it is La Roja who have managed five clean sheets at these finals, including a shutout of Portugal in the round of 16. Belgium have been the only side to breach Spain’s watertight rearguard and Les Bleus may find it hard to break through too.
With that in mind, backing a draw looks a good place to start for a three-way Bet Builder which pays out at 14/1 as these European heavyweights look set to hold each other at arm’s length.
Leg 1: Draw @ 11/5
Goals may not flow
Only Argentina have scored more goals than France’s 16 but Les Bleus may find themselves frustrated by stubborn Spain.
The Spanish defence has been phenomenal at this tournament and have let in just one goal across their six matches.
Seven of the last 10 meetings between these two have featured no more than two goals and that total could increase on Tuesday.
Three of Spain’s six World Cup matches have gone under 2.5 goals so that looks a decent second leg in what should be a tense tussle.
Leg 2: Under 2.5 goals @ 10/11
Magic Michael one to watch
Michael Olise has made five assists at this World Cup so the French playmaker looks a great bet to score or assist in this clash should France manage to get on the scoresheet.
Olise has yet to score but he has gone close on several occasions and could be the man to unlock the Spanish defence.
His ability to find space in between the opposition’s midfield and defence could be crucial in this match and he can make another key contribution in the form of a goal or an assist.
Leg 3: Michael Olise to score or assist @ 21/20
