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France v Spain team news: Barcola in for Doue

14 July 2026 250 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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100 matches down, four to go: it’s World Cup semi-final time as France meet Spain.

Kick-off in Dallas is at 20:00 BST.

TEAM NEWS

Les Bleus make two changes from the 2-0 win over Morocco in the quarter-finals.

One is expected as Aurélien Tchouaméni ($6.5m) returns from injury to replace Manu Koné ($6.1m) in the engine room.

The other alteration is more of a surprise – or at least, it was until the news broke on social media earlier this afternoon. Bradley Barcola ($8.0m) comes in for Desire Doué ($7.5m) on the wing.

As for Spain, Luis de la Fuente has named the same side that started Friday’s quarter-final win over Belgium.

Mikel Merino ($6.2m), the match-winner in each of the past two rounds, has to settle for substitute duty once again.

Pedri ($8.1m) is once more kept out of the side by Fabian Ruiz ($6.8m).

Now that we’ve seen the line-ups, we know that only four starters qualify for Scouting Bonus. Unsurprisingly, they are the four central midfielders: Ruiz, Rodri ($7.5m), Tchouaméni and Adrien Rabiot ($6.4m).

LINE-UPS

France XI: Maignan, Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, Digne, Tchouameni, Rabiot, Dembele, Olise, Barcola, Mbappe.

Subs: Samba, Risser, Gusto, Kone, Thuram, Kante, Konate, Zaire-Emery, Theo Hernandez, Doue, Lucas Hernandez, Mateta, Cherki, Akliouche, Lacroix.

Spain XI: Simon, Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella, Rodri, Fabian, Yamal, Olmo, Baena, Oyarzabal.

Subs: Raya, Joan Garcia, Pubill, Grimaldo, Eric Garcia, Llorente, Merino, Torres, Gavi, Pino, Williams, Zubimendi, Gonzalez, Munoz, Iglesias.

PRE-DEADLINE READS

250 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Steavn8k
    • 3 Years
    1 month, 17 days ago

    This ref is making his calls on vibes only. I'm all for it.

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  2. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    1 month, 17 days ago

    French cooked?

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    1. Mozumbus
      • 5 Years
      1 month, 17 days ago

      Omelette rising

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  3. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    1 month, 17 days ago

    Simple Simon - too easy

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  4. THE Wild Rover
    • 16 Years
    1 month, 17 days ago

    You’d have thought it would be not too difficult, for Mbappe to lob the ball into the empty net there.

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  5. SM001
    • 10 Years
    1 month, 17 days ago

    Away les bleus!

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  6. Pariße
    • 11 Years
    1 month, 17 days ago

    Pedro Porro haul. The information is always there, you just gotta get it right 😀

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    1. Steavn8k
      • 3 Years
      1 month, 17 days ago

      Got him 2 min. before deadline to cover mini league rival. Glad I did.

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      1. Pariße
        • 11 Years
        1 month, 17 days ago

        Great call yeah, his attacking stats are much superior to any French defender, and the Spanish system enables complete obliteration of threat form the opponent.

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    2. Moon Dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 1 Year
      1 month, 17 days ago

      If Porro's available for GW1 I want him for FPL. Senesi, Van Hecke, Robertson, Tonali, Fernandes are all great additions to the defensive unit, and they have great opening fixtures. De Zerbi is cooking.

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      1. Pariße
        • 11 Years
        1 month, 17 days ago

        Will the FPL headquarters take into account his World cup performances when setting his price?

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        1. Moon Dog
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 1 Year
          1 month, 17 days ago

          I'm not sure, but I doubt it. Small sample and in a completely different team.

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          1. x.jim.x
            • 11 Years
            1 month, 17 days ago

            Yeah, saw City were interested

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  7. THE Wild Rover
    • 16 Years
    1 month, 17 days ago

    You can see how stunned the French fans are, they clearly thought the trophy was in the bag. C'est la vie.

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  8. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    1 month, 17 days ago

    Mbappe YC and a pair of boxing gloves

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  9. lilmessipran
    • 14 Years
    1 month, 17 days ago

    Mbappe yellow

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  10. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    1 month, 17 days ago

    Still no SoT from France?

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  11. bso
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    1 month, 17 days ago

    Don’t care that I have only two Spain players. So happy they are winning…Ole!

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    1. Riverside Red
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      1 month, 17 days ago

      How's the best team in the tournament getting on?

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      1. bso
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        1 month, 17 days ago

        Good question!

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      2. Goro Majima
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        1 month, 17 days ago

        They appear to be winning 2-0.

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  12. Goro Majima
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    1 month, 17 days ago

    This has been an absolute disaster fantasy wise. How many transfers for the final?

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    1. jacob1989
      • 4 Years
      1 month, 17 days ago

      3rd place playoff is included

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      1. Goro Majima
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        1 month, 17 days ago

        I keep forgetting that tbh. Not sure who France will put out in that game though.

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        1. CoracAld2831
          • 5 Years
          1 month, 17 days ago

          Heavy to moderate rotation at least.

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      2. CoracAld2831
        • 5 Years
        1 month, 17 days ago

        I am not sure Big nations care about 3rd place.

        If it was Switzerland, Colombia etc. then yes.

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  13. Freshy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    1 month, 17 days ago

    My rank was 4K going into the Knockouts
    Now its 26982
    Suboptimal

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  14. CoracAld2831
    • 5 Years
    1 month, 17 days ago

    Spain beats France 2-0 and advances to the final. France will play for Bronze.

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    1. Moon Dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 1 Year
      1 month, 17 days ago

      Spain were superb!

      Reminded me of the Euros Final. Suffocating performance.

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  15. jacob1989
    • 4 Years
    1 month, 17 days ago

    France going backwards.. from world cup winners to runners up to semifinalists.. 2030 wc qf then

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  16. Christina.
    • 16 Years
    1 month, 17 days ago

    So much for the bookies, experts and Co....

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    1. Mozumbus
      • 5 Years
      1 month, 17 days ago

      And the one who said Doue will start

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      1. Christina.
        • 16 Years
        1 month, 17 days ago

        Yeah what was that all about? L Equippe said he would.

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    2. Moon Dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 1 Year
      1 month, 17 days ago

      Football will forever be unpredictable. Thankfully.

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    3. PartyTime
      • 5 Years
      1 month, 17 days ago

      Quite hard to believe France lost tbh. They seemed like a team with a clear approach for every match. I just think their midfield was really poor & it should have been better.
      Maybe Theo should have started because he is better at defending than Digne who was up against Yamal. Probably a tactical blunder but can't be too certain.

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      1. GreennRed
        • 14 Years
        1 month, 17 days ago

        Despite all their attacking threats they were too reliant on Mbappe. Probably peaked too soon. Showbiating against the Norway B team like they'd achieved anything while they could have rested a few.An awful Paraguay team kept them scoreless from play. Morocco were poor on the day kept them fairly quiet. They were as good as poosition let them be.

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  17. CoracAld2831
    • 5 Years
    1 month, 17 days ago

    Even though France still has a match left most of their players are probably sells now.

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    1. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      1 month, 17 days ago

      lineups

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      1. CoracAld2831
        • 5 Years
        1 month, 17 days ago

        Yes, but expecting heavy rotation.

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        1. jacob1989
          • 4 Years
          1 month, 17 days ago

          No. They ll still play a strong lineup. But expect digne, barcola, maybe dembele miss out

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          1. CoracAld2831
            • 5 Years
            1 month, 17 days ago

            I do not think they'll care about 3rd place.

            I would not be surprised if most of the stars return to their clubs tbh.

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            1. jacob1989
              • 4 Years
              1 month, 17 days ago

              Lol. They will. There ll be some changes but mpabbe and main players will start.. teams do give importance to 3rd place.. they are professionals

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              1. CoracAld2831
                • 5 Years
                1 month, 17 days ago

                We'll see.

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              2. x.jim.x
                • 11 Years
                1 month, 17 days ago

                There’s no chance any of these players care about a bronze medal

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    2. Mozumbus
      • 5 Years
      1 month, 17 days ago

      Yes

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    3. AAAFootball
      • 1 Year
      1 month, 17 days ago

      I reckon keep doue and maybe mbappe if third place counts for the boot

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  18. Freshy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    1 month, 17 days ago

    Now we have to wait to finalize our squads till lineups are announced for 3rd place match

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    1. CoracAld2831
      • 5 Years
      1 month, 17 days ago

      Or just load up on Spain and the second finalist.

      8 is the maximum, i think.

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      1. jacob1989
        • 4 Years
        1 month, 17 days ago

        3rd place playoff always tend to be high scoring

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        1. Haa-lala-land
          • 5 Years
          1 month, 17 days ago

          Argentina V France should be a corker

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  19. Mozumbus
    • 5 Years
    1 month, 17 days ago

    Got 4 Spain
    Simon, Cucurella, Lamine (c), Olmo
    Only regret i didn't get Oyarzabal as well

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    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 9 Years
      1 month, 17 days ago

      Do you regret? Mr. Hindsight?

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      1. Mozumbus
        • 5 Years
        1 month, 17 days ago

        Hehe

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    2. jacob1989
      • 4 Years
      1 month, 17 days ago

      Simon my maximum captain!

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    3. PartyTime
      • 5 Years
      1 month, 17 days ago

      FIFA won't keep your rank history for the next 4 years so take some hits my friend. Hits are fun.

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      1. Mozumbus
        • 5 Years
        1 month, 17 days ago

        Got WC lol

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    4. Christina.
      • 16 Years
      1 month, 17 days ago

      Nice!
      I sold Oyaball for Kane

      Cucu(6), Porro(14), Beana(3) and Lamine(10)

      80k->55k

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      1. Mozumbus
        • 5 Years
        1 month, 17 days ago

        Wow!

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        1. Christina.
          • 16 Years
          1 month, 17 days ago

          Pity the Lamine goal was offside

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      2. Mozumbus
        • 5 Years
        1 month, 17 days ago

        I got Lamine(c) as well
        Could have been great if he wouldn't be offside!
        It's a twist, right
        I'm little confused

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        1. Christina.
          • 16 Years
          1 month, 17 days ago

          Wish I played Max(c) with Porro

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          1. Christina.
            • 16 Years
            1 month, 17 days ago

            Twist yes.

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    5. Haa-lala-land
      • 5 Years
      1 month, 17 days ago

      I had Oyarzabal, Porro and Simon, and no France defenders!
      Max C 😀
      Only downside is selling Messi for Mbappe ;(

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      1. Mozumbus
        • 5 Years
        1 month, 17 days ago

        Nice
        Having no French defense is something, high risk high reward
        You must have a great rank boost

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      2. Christina.
        • 16 Years
        1 month, 17 days ago

        wow!!!!

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  20. Christina.
    • 16 Years
    1 month, 17 days ago

    This guy actually selected Porro(c) out of his own

    64pts

    https://play.fifa.com/fantasy/public-team/977167/7?back=%2Frankings

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    1. Moon Dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 1 Year
      1 month, 17 days ago

      There's always one 😆

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  21. Mozumbus
    • 5 Years
    1 month, 17 days ago

    Not starting with Doue and Kone cost France the match

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    1. jacob1989
      • 4 Years
      1 month, 17 days ago

      And starting digne

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  22. Moon Dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 1 Year
    1 month, 17 days ago

    Julien Laurens claims Saliba was saying "My back is gone! My back is gone!"
    https://x.com/LaurensJulien/status/2077113384240070993?s=20

    I hope he's okay. Back injuries are notoriously difficult.

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    1. x.jim.x
      • 11 Years
      1 month, 17 days ago

      Arsenal are going to have a tough time next season, players are dropping like flies. Hope that single league title was worth it.

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      1. jacob1989
        • 4 Years
        1 month, 17 days ago

        All other contenders are kind of rebuilding.. but too early to think about all that now

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  23. AAAFootball
    • 1 Year
    1 month, 17 days ago

    My differential was quadruple france attack... might have to k*ll myself now lol
    Only consolation is that my mini league opponents are incredibly bad, so I remain a comfortable first despite only one return from 6 players (cucu)

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  24. AK-ATTACK ⚽
    • 4 Years
    1 month, 17 days ago

    Very poor VAR officials and refereeing in the Spain Vs France match. No consistency with punishment. Yamal dived and on 2 other occasions fouled, all bookable offences. No cards given.

    Embolo of the Swiss team get a deserved yellow card for diving. Makes you wonder where these footballing level referee educated standard officials have been appointed from.

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  25. Freshy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    1 month, 17 days ago

    Part time Villa fullback loses it for France

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  26. McGurn
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 17 Years
    1 month, 17 days ago

    Just watched the game tonight. I am stunned! France have been superb all through the tournament but literally didnt turn up tonight. How is that possible? Sadly, the only difference is that England will lose in the final to Spain rather than France.

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  27. SpaceCadet
    • 12 Years
    1 month, 17 days ago

    Decent game with 42 points and max cap on Simon.

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  28. Mozumbus
    • 5 Years
    1 month, 16 days ago

    Would you bring in Medina and Lopez for Digne and Mbappe even if they don't start
    A. Yes both
    B. One of Medina/Lopez?
    C. No

    For clarity, assumption is that they don't start

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