World Cup 2026: Can anyone stop Mbappe’s France?

Mani Djazmi is joined by Loic Tanzi from L’Equipe and Juan Castro from Marca to preview the World Cup semi-final between France and Spain. France are many people’s favourites to win the tournament, while Spain head into the game on the back of a 36-match unbeaten run.

Mani also gets an Argentinian perspective from journalist Nicolas Rotnitzsky, who says their semi-final against England is one of the most important games in the national team’s history. He’s also predicting the 2026 World Cup final will see his nation meet France in the final, just as they did at Qatar 2022.

More than the Score brings you more than the men’s football World Cup - the new teams, standout stars, trends and fandoms shaping the tournament in ways the stats don’t show. With 48 teams competing across Mexico, the US and Canada, BBC World Service promises to take you deeper - from the group stages to the final. Search for More than the Score wherever you get your BBC podcasts.