Spain benches Pedri for semifinal vs France, sparking debate

Spain reached the semifinal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be played in Dallas, where they will face France. Coach Luis de la Fuente started Fabián Ruiz in place of Pedri, and Ruiz scored the opening goal that secured a 1‑0 win over Belgium to advance.

The lineup change prompted comments from goalkeeper Unai Simón, who highlighted the squad’s depth and the difficulty of rotation, and sparked discussion on social media. Actor Javier Bardem was seen wearing a shirt gifted by striker Borja Iglesias, further underlining the cultural buzz surrounding the tournament.

Former Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy’s earlier remark that the French national team “doesn’t include French players” reignited political criticism. French officials labeled the comment racist, while Spanish politicians including Gabriel Rufián condemned it, adding a diplomatic dimension to the sporting event.