Kylian Mbappe and France's attack are in high gear at the 2026 World Cup. The team is in the running to reach its third consecutive final. But it will not be easy for France to break through Spain's strong defense in the semi-final, which starts at 00:45 on Wednesday morning.

The match at Dallas' AT&T Stadium is expected to be very exciting. France coach Didier Deschamps played a 'mind game' on Monday, saying that Spain is a contender in this match.

'They attack well, defend well and don't concede goals, so it will be a spectacular game,' Deschamps said. France has played in the last two editions of the final. They won the title in Russia in 2018 and lost to Lionel Messi's Argentina in the final in Qatar four years ago on penalties. Mbappe scored a hat-trick in that final.

France, which won the World Cup for the first time in 1998, is now in the running to become world champions for the third time. Despite being rich in football culture, France won its only World Cup title in 2010 in South Africa.

Many believe that Spain's current level is a strong basis for winning the World Cup for the second time. Spain, which did not panic despite being held to a goalless draw in the first match with Cape Verde, has since adjusted its rhythm very well. Now it is Spain's turn to stop France's strong attack.

Mbappe has scored 8 goals and is in the lead with Messi in the race for the Golden Boot. France also has Ballon d'Or winners Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olis, who have allowed Mbappe to play freely and have made the opposition nervous.

France's defense, which was considered a weak point before the World Cup, has also been effective in this tournament. France coach Deschamps is ending his 14-year tenure after this tournament. He is one of four people in the history of the World Cup who have won the title as a player and coach. If Deschamps wins the title this time, he will leave everyone behind.

Lamine Yamal, who celebrated his 19th birthday on Monday, appeared before the media wearing a diamond-studded jewelry he bought. He is a player who is seen as Messi's successor and a young Mbappe. But he has not yet shown that image in this World Cup.

He played an important role in Spain's Euro 2024 title and came to the United States to play this World Cup with a hamstring injury, which also prevented him from playing openly. The Barcelona player was selected as the Player of the Match when Spain won the quarter-final 2-1 against Belgium.

Yamal was responsible for Spain's 2-1 victory over France in the Euro 2024 semi-finals and a high-scoring 5-4 victory over France in the Nations League semi-finals last year. After Spain defeated Belgium in the quarter-finals last week, Yamal pointed to previous matches and said that he was 'scared' of France more than Spain.

He made this statement clear at a press conference on Monday. 'I was asked if I was scared of France, and I said no,' Yamal explained why, 'We are European champions, that's how it is in football.'

Yamal also said that Sunday's World Cup final would be the best birthday present for him. 'I haven't received many gifts so far, the best birthday present would be winning the match against France and traveling to New York for the final.'

Mikel Merino has scored in the final minutes of Spain's last two games, helping Yamal reach the semi-finals. Led by French-born Aymeric Laporte, Spain have been solid defensively, conceding just one goal, the last time they conceded against Belgium.

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has said his team's focus is on the front line.