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The semifinal between Spain and France on Tuesday, July 14, at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, is not only a clash between two powerhouses of world football: it is also a showdown between teammates. In total, 26 players who live together during the season in major European clubs will go head-to-head to decide who advances to the final of the 2026 World Cup.
The match, which kicks off at 19:00 UTC (15:00 in Cuba and 21:00 in mainland Spain), features players from Barcelona, Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City, Chelsea, and Crystal Palace, reflecting the prominence of major European clubs in this stage of the tournament.
The Barcelona tops the list of teams with the most participants in the matchup. Jules Koundé will defend the colors of France against eight of his Barcelona teammates who wear the Spanish jersey: Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Gavi, Pau Cubarsí, Ferran Torres, Eric García, Dani Olmo, and Joan García, who make up a significant part of the backbone of the national team.
In the Arsenal, the Frenchman William Saliba will face three teammates who play for Spain: David Raya, Martín Zubimendi, and Mikel Merino. The four were key players in the historic season of the Gunners, who conquered the Premier League after 22 years of drought and reached the Champions League final.
Another point of focus will be on Paris Saint-Germain, two-time champions of Europe. The Spanish player Fabián Ruiz will reunite with five French teammates: Lucas Hernández, Bradley Barcola, Désiré Doué, Ousmane Dembélé, and Warren Zaïre-Emery, all under the guidance of Luis Enrique, with whom he lifted the Champions League this season.
In Manchester City, Rodri —an unquestionable reference for Spain— will face Rayan Cherki, one of the new additions to the English club and a key offensive player for the French team.
The Chelsea will also have its internal match: Marc Cucurella, who later embarked on a new chapter at Real Madrid, will reunite with the Frenchman Malo Gusto, his former teammate at the London club.
The Crystal Palace will finalize the list of teams represented on both sides. Yéremy Pino will defend Spain, while Maxence Lacroix and Jean-Philippe Mateta will do so for France. The three were part of the squad that claimed the first Conference League in the history of the club, winning 1-0 against Rayo Vallecano in Leipzig on May 27 with a goal from Mateta.
Spain reached this stage after defeating Belgium 2-1 in the quarter-finals, with goals from Fabián Ruiz and Mikel Merino. France, for its part, eliminated Morocco 2-0 with goals from Mbappé and Dembélé. The winner will advance to the grand final of the 2026 World Cup, scheduled for July 19.
The match on Tuesday also coincides with France's National Day, which adds an extra symbolic element to a clash that already has all the ingredients: footballers who know each other inside out, who understand where their teammates feel pain, and who, for one night, will have to set aside friendship to fight for a spot in the World Cup final.
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