2026 World Cup semi-final: France vs. Spain official line-ups, AC Milan pair start, Kone dropped

Milan stars Mike Maignan and Adrien Rabiot start for France in the World Cup semi-final against Spain, but Roma midfielder Manu Koné drops back to the bench.

It kicks off in Dallas at 20.00 UK time (21.00 CEST).

Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

The winners will play either England or Argentina in the World Cup Final on July 19.

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 04: Adrien Rabiot #14 of France arrives at the stadium before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Paraguay and France at Philadelphia Stadium on July 04, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) — PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JULY 04: Adrien Rabiot #14 of France arrives at the stadium before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Paraguay and France at Philadelphia Stadium on July 04, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

France have emerged as the undoubted favourites to win the trophy after a series of dominant performances in USA, Canada and Mexico, winning all six matches with 16 goals scored and just three conceded.

There is a change for Didier Deschamps, because while Roma midfielder Koné has been the breakout star of the competition for them, he is benched today in favour of fit again Aurelien Tchouaméni.

It means there are only two Serie A players in the starting XI, both representing Milan with goalkeeper Maignan and midfielder Rabiot.

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JUNE 22: Manu Kone #6 of France arrives at the stadium before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I match between France and Iraq at Philadelphia Stadium on June 22, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) — PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JUNE 22: Manu Kone #6 of France arrives at the stadium before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I match between France and Iraq at Philadelphia Stadium on June 22, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Kylian Mbappé leads the way with support from Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembélé, but Bradley Barcola is preferred to Désiré Doué.

There are no Serie A players in the Spain squad, but after a dismal start with the shock 0-0 against Cape Verde, they’ve gone from strength to strength in this World Cup.

Unai Simon set a new record for most minutes without conceding at the World Cup, ended by Charles De Ketelaere in a 2-1 quarter-final win over Belgium.

They start the same line-up as that game, meaning late goal hero Mikel Merino is again going to come off the bench as a super-sub after scoring in the Round of 16 and the quarter-final.

Mikel Oyarzabal is top scorer with four goals, supported by Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo and Alex Baena.

Former Napoli midfielder Fabian Ruiz again pushes Pedri onto the bench.