FIFA World Cup 2026: France vs Spain: Blockbuster World Cup Semi-Final Confirmed
Spain are through to the FIFA World Cup 20 26 semi-finals after beating Belgium 2-1 in the quarter-final in Los Angeles.
Spain battled past Belgium with grit, tactics, and squad depth. Substitute Mikel Merino scored the late winner to book La Roja’s place in the semi-finals and set up a clash with France.
Spain book place in FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi-Finals
Spain have been superb in the World Cup so far and that form continued into the knockout stages. Spain comfortably beat Austria 3-0 in the Round of 32 before edging out Portugal 1-0 in the Round of 16.
Spain once again showed why they are one of the favourites to win this tournament by grabbing vital wins when it mattered most against Belgium.
Fabián Ruiz gave Spain the lead after 30 minutes, but before half-time Belgium equalised through Charles De Ketelaere, making it 1-1 at the break.
Neither team could find a winner until Mikel Merino came off the bench and Spain got the breakthrough they needed.
Spain Win After Sub Wins Late Goal
Spain’s substitute Mikel Merino has been something of a hero for them at this World Cup.
He was brought on late in the second-half against Belgium and made an instant impact, scoring the winner in the 92nd minute to secure a 2-1 victory for Spain and a place in the World Cup semi-finals.
Spain have had a number of match-winners this tournament but Merino’s strength as a super sub could be the difference for Spain.
Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente said his squad’s strength and togetherness was a big reason why they were able to win again when another substitute scored the winner.
Belgium Had Other Ideas and Nearly Won
Belgium matched Spain for large periods of this game and nearly pulled off an impressive upset.
Charles De Ketelaere’s equaliser stopped Spain’s goalscoring exploits and ended goalkeeper Unai Simon’s incredible 650-minute World Cup shutout streak.
Merino’s late goal stopped Belgium pouring forward in search of an equaliser and instead secured a win for Spain, knocking Belgium out in the quarter-final stage of the World Cup.
Spain Become the Second Team to Reach the Semi-Finals
With their 2-1 victory over Belgium, Spain became the second team to secure a place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finals.
France had earlier become the first semi-finalist after defeating Morocco 2-0 in their quarter-final.
Spain’s victory means two European football giants will now meet in one of the biggest matches of the tournament.
France vs Spain: Blockbuster World Cup Semi-Final Confirmed
Spain will face France in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final on July 14, 2026.
France reached the last four after beating Morocco 2-0, while Spain booked their place with a dramatic victory over Belgium.
The France vs Spain semi-final promises to be a fascinating battle between two of Europe’s strongest teams and will decide who advances to the FIFA World Cup 2026 final.
Spain’s Road to the Semi-Finals
| Round | Opponent | Result |
| Round of 32 | Austria | Spain won 3-0 |
| Round of 16 | Portugal | Spain won 1-0 |
| Quarter-final | Belgium | Spain won 2-1 |
| Semi-final | France | July 14, 2026 |
Key Match Highlights
- Spain defeated Belgium 2-1 in the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final.
- Spain became the second team to qualify for the World Cup semi-finals.
- Fabián Ruiz scored Spain’s opening goal.
- Charles De Ketelaere equalised for Belgium before half-time.
- Substitute Mikel Merino scored the dramatic late winner.
- Spain will face France in a blockbuster World Cup semi-final.
- Belgium’s FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign ended in the quarter-finals.
FIFA World Cup 2026: Live Telecast & Streaming in India
Welcome to the biggest FIFA World Cup in history. The 2026 edition marks a new era for international football, featuring 48 teams, 104 matches, and three host nations for the very first time.
Where to watch FIFA World Cup 2026 live in India
Indian football fans can catch all the action live through dedicated digital streaming and television networks. Because the tournament is being hosted in North America, please note that most matches will air in India during the late-night and early-morning hours (12:30 AM, 3:30 AM, and 6:30 AM IST).
📱 Digital Live Streaming (OTT)
- ZEE5: The entire tournament is being streamed digitally on the ZEE5 app and website. To access all 104 matches live and on-demand, users need to subscribe to the special ‘FIFA World Cup 2026’ pass available on the platform.
📺 Television Telecast
- Unite8 Sports (Zee Network): Zee’s premium sports channels are broadcasting the matches live with multi-language commentary:
- English Commentary: Unite8 Sports 2 and Unite8 Sports 2 HD
- Hindi Commentary: Unite8 Sports 1 and Unite8 Sports 1 HD
- Regional Languages: Select high-profile matches are also being broadcasted on Zee Keralam (Malayalam) and Zee Bangla Sonar (Bengali).
- DD Sports (Free-to-Air): If you use DD Free Dish or a standard terrestrial antenna, you can watch major milestone matches for free. DD Sports is broadcasting the opening match, all four quarter-finals, both semi-finals, and the grand final absolutely free.
Special FIFA World Cup 2026 + All Access Packs
These specialized plans provide full ZEE5 access along with live streaming for the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches.
- 3-Month Pass: ₹799
- Screens: 1-3 screens
- Quality: 1080p Full HD
- Annual Pass: ₹1,699
- Screens: Up to 4 screens
- Quality: Up to UHD / 4K
To compare these plans directly on the platform or manage your current subscription, use the ZEE5 Account Dashboard.
Indian football fans can also look forward to watching a handful of Indian origin players in action during this year’s World Cup, including New Zealand ace Sarpreet Singh and Qatar duo Niall Mason and Tahsin Mohammed Jamshid.
Worldwide 2026 FIFA World Cup broadcasters
FAQ
How to stream the 2026 FIFA World Cup online
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be available across a wide variety of modern streaming devices and connected platforms. Fans will be able to watch matches live through smart TVs, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, gaming consoles, smartphones, tablets, and laptops.
Most official broadcasters now provide dedicated streaming apps that support high-definition and, in some cases, 4K viewing. Services such as YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, and Fubo are also expected to offer live World Cup coverage in supported regions, giving viewers flexible ways to follow the tournament without a traditional cable subscription.
Can you watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free?
Several countries will offer free access to at least part of the tournament through national broadcasters and their digital streaming services. In the United Kingdom, matches are expected to air free-to-air on BBC and ITV, with streaming available through BBC iPlayer and ITVX. Australian viewers will be able to stream matches live through SBS On Demand, while selected matches in France are likely to be available through TF1+.
In Brazil, CazéTV is again expected to play a major role in digital coverage through YouTube, while some territories may also provide free highlights, match replays, and tournament analysis even if full live coverage sits behind a subscription paywall.
Can you watch the World Cup on YouTube?
YouTube is expected to become one of the biggest destinations for World Cup content throughout the tournament. While live match availability will depend on regional broadcasting rights, fans around the world will be able to access highlights, goal compilations, press conferences, tactical analysis, and behind-the-scenes content through official FIFA channels, broadcasters, and football creators.
Some broadcasters, including Brazil’s CazéTV, may also stream selected coverage directly through YouTube in approved regions.
Can you watch the World Cup on TikTok and social media?
Although platforms such as TikTok are unlikely to carry full live matches, they will still play a huge role in tournament coverage. Official broadcasters, national teams, players, and creators are expected to publish instant goal reactions, short-form highlights, training clips, fan celebrations, and behind-the-scenes footage throughout the competition.
These platforms will also become central hubs for viral moments and real-time fan engagement during the tournament.
What internet speed do you need to stream the World Cup?
For viewers planning to stream matches online, a stable internet connection will be essential for the best experience. HD streaming typically requires at least 5 to 10 Mbps, while Full HD and 4K streams benefit from significantly faster speeds. Fans using smart TVs or streaming devices may also improve playback quality by connecting through Ethernet instead of Wi-Fi where possible.
Can you watch the World Cup while travelling?
Fans travelling during the tournament may still be able to access their usual streaming services, although availability will depend on regional broadcasting agreements. Some platforms include travel-friendly access options, while others may restrict content outside specific countries.
Checking your broadcaster’s international streaming policies before travelling can help avoid interruptions during the tournament.
When does the 2026 FIFA World Cup start?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to take place across June and July 2026 in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It will mark the first World Cup featuring 48 teams and the first edition jointly hosted by three countries.
With an expanded format, more matches, and broader global coverage than ever before, the 2026 tournament is expected to deliver one of the most accessible and widely streamed sporting events in football history.
Live stream the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free by following these simple steps:
Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice
Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK
Visit BBC iPlayer or ITVX (recommended)
Watch 2026 FIFA World Cup for free from anywhere in the world
What is the best VPN for the FIFA World Cup?
ExpressVPN is the best choice for accessing live sport on free streaming platforms, for a number of reasons:
- Servers in 105 countries
- Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
- Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
- Fast connection speeds
- Up to 10 simultaneous connections
- 30-day money-back guarantee
A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).
Live stream the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free with ExpressVPN.
