France's Kylian Mbappe participates in a training session ahead of the team's semifinal soccer match against Spain, Monday, July 13, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

By The Canadian Press

Kylian Mbappé in for France in World Cup semifinals against Spain after ‘slight’ ankle injury

Jul 14, 2026 | 10:50 AM

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Kylian Mbappé is in France’s starting lineup for Tuesday’s World Cup semifinal match against Spain after the striker exited in the 77th minute of the team’s quarterfinal win over Morocco.

Mbappé scored his eighth goal against Morocco and enters the semifinals even with Argentina superstar Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot. The 39-year-old Messi has a World Cup-record 21 goals in his career, one more than the 27-year-old Mbappé.

France coach Didier Deschamps said Mbappé was fine physically after the early exit against Morocco with what was described as a “slight” right ankle injury.

The France captain is among six players to start all seven World Cup matches for the team, along with fellow forward Ousmane Dembele and goalkeeper Mike Maignan.

For the sixth time in seven games, Spain forward Mikel Merino will come off the bench. The versatile Arsenal player scored the winning goals within minutes of coming on as a late substitute in a 1-0 victory over Portugal in the round of 16 and a 2-1 quarterfinal win over Belgium.

Missing person

RCMP seek public help to locate missing McBride area man

1h ago

On Demand

July 13, 2026: CKPG News on Demand

18h ago

involuntary care

Prince George involuntary care facility timeline questioned

20h ago

Lamine Yamal will start his sixth consecutive game for Spain a day after his 19th birthday. The Barcelona forward came off the bench in a 0-0 draw in the team’s opener against Cape Verde, the tiny island nation that turned into one of the World Cup’s biggest surprises.

Spain forward Nico Williams, who has been battling a muscle injury since the group stage finale against Uruguay, wasn’t in the lineup. He came off the bench in all three group matches before missing the first two knockout games. Williams entered in the 79th minute against Belgium.

___

See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here

The Associated Press

by The Canadian Press

Click here to report an error or typo in this article

Join Our Daily Email

Kylian Mbappé in for France in World Cup semifinals against Spain after ‘slight’ ankle injury

What's Trending