World Cup fuels economic boom, inspires future U.S. soccer talent
Brian Kilmeade presents data on the rise of the World Cup, showing record viewership and significant economic increases in host cities. Alan Rothenberg, founder of Major League Soccer, emphasizes the success of the tournament and the emerging young talent in US Soccer. Rothenberg believes this push will inspire a new generation of players, solidifying the sport’s growth and competitive future in the United States.
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In the heart of Texas, two countries will fight for a place in the World Cup final on Tuesday afternoon.
France and Spain, two top-tier programs that have been dominating their way in the competition, meet in the FIFA World Cup semifinals at Dallas Stadium in Arlington in hopes of punching their ticket to play at New York/New Jersey Stadium on July 19.
They are two of the most successful teams in World Cup history and it seems almost a shame that they are not competing for the World Cup trophy. But that’s how great the competition has been, as these two European rivals meet in the penultimate step towards glory.
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France’s Kylian Mbappé and Spain’s Lamine Yamal will meet in the World Cup semi-finals in Dallas to determine which country will have the chance to lift the World Cup trophy on July 19. (GETTY)
For Spain, conceding their first goal of the entire tournament (yes, you’re reading that correctly) didn’t do much to faze them in the quarterfinals. Belgian Charles De Ketelaere was able to find the back of Unai Simón’s net to become the only player to do so so far in the World Cup, but Mikel Merino’s 88th-minute goal was the decisive one in Spain’s 2-1 victory.
It has been impressive what the Spanish have done since their start in Group H against Cape Verde caught attention after a 0-0 draw. But they have since come through in their competition, defeating Saudi Arabia and Uruguay en route to the round of 32, where a decisive 3-0 victory over Austria propelled them forward.
SEE THE SEMIFINAL FRANCE VS SPAIN
From there it was a 1-0 win over Portugal, where Merino’s stoppage-time goal ended Cristiano Ronaldo’s latest World Cup run. Then came Belgium, who defeated Team USA in the round of 16, where they once again controlled the pace of play and scored the timely goals needed to keep their World Cup dreams alive.
Spain’s Mikel Merino celebrates after the game in Arlington, Texas. (Jerome Miron/Imagn Images)
Spain wants to get back to the World Cup final, where it won it all in 2010. But its opponent has some unfinished business coming into 2022, and has seemed virtually unstoppable in recent tournaments.
France, which lost to Argentina in the World Cup final four years ago, is looking to reach its third straight final after doing so in 2018, a win over Croatia, and in 2022. And head coach Didier Deschamps knows he has the team to beat someone like Spain.
WATCH THE WORLD CUP FINAL ON FOX ONE
Led by Golden Boot favorite Kylian Mbappé, France has shown why many believe it is the favorite before the tournament even began. They controlled the entire match against Morocco, sending them home with a 2-0 win in the quarterfinals, and the others before were simply trying to hold on.
But it’s not just Mbappé who deserves all the praise. Players like Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise, Désiré Doué and others have simply bothered country after country, possessing the ball well and finding all kinds of angles to shoot at goal.
Can they do it against a Spanish team that also thrives on possession and suffocates any attack? It’ll be a good start to the World Cup semi-finals, and it’s all on FOX.
Here’s how to watch the game, including start time, TV information and streaming options.
Kylian Mbappé of France celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinal match between France and Morocco at Boston Stadium on July 9, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Daniela Porcelli/Getty Images)
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How to watch France vs Spain:
When: Tuesday, July 14 at 3 pm ET
Where: Dallas Stadium, Arlington, Texas
television: FOX
Stream: Watch on FOX One and FOX Sports
