00:00We're going out with our special segment on the occasion of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
00:04Beyond the game, the ball stays pure.
00:07Go ahead Luis, a pleasure to share the set with you.
00:09A pleasure to be back, Lore.
00:11We'll continue to have more information as everything is getting ready for the first semifinal tomorrow between France and Spain.
00:17More after the break.
00:43Welcome to Beyond the Game, the ball stays pure.
00:45After an action-packed quarterfinal round, the stage is set for the matches that will determine the finalists of the
00:502026 FIFA World Cup.
00:52France and Spain will meet in one of the tournament's most highly anticipated clashes when they face off next Tuesday,
00:57July 14th, at Dallas Stadium.
01:00France heads into the semifinal in strong form after defeating Morocco 2-0 in the quarterfinals,
01:05while Spain secure its place in the final four with a 2-1 victory over Belgium.
01:10Meanwhile, England advance with a 2-1 extra time win over Norway,
01:13while defending champion Argentina defeated Switzerland 3-1 to book its place in the semifinals.
01:19England and Argentina will square off in the second semifinal next Wednesday, July 15th, at Atlanta Stadium.
01:31And many are calling the first semifinal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup a final before the final.
01:36France once again looks to Kylian Mbappe, whose pace and finishing have made him one of the tournament's standout players.
01:42Supported by a deep attacking unit featuring Usman de Pelé, Le Bleu combines speed, power and clinical finishing.
01:48Spain, meanwhile, continues to be impressed with its possession-based style led by the creativity of Lamine Jamal and the
01:55leadership of Mikel Oyarzaba,
01:57while their defence has been among the strongest in the competition.
02:01History suggests another classic Spain holds the overall edge in the rivalry with 18 wins to France's 13,
02:07but France won their only previous World Cup meeting, a 3-1 victory in the run of 16 at Germany
02:12in 2006.
02:13More recently, the nations have shared memorable encounters in the UEFA Nations League and European Championships with Lido separating them.
02:21Expect a fascinating tactical battle.
02:23Spain will try to control possession and detect the tempo,
02:26while France will look to exploit space in transition through Mbappe's pace.
02:35And as France prepares to face Spain in the World Cup semifinals,
02:39defender Ibrahim Akonaté insists La Roja's biggest threats extend far beyond Lamine Jamal.
02:48To be honest, you don't necessarily think about that because Spain is an exceptional side with a wealth of talent.
02:55But the aim isn't to focus only on one particular player, because it's the whole team that can cause problems.
03:04It's not just Lamine, it's the whole team.
03:06To be honest, we don't pay any attention to what's being said about all this.
03:11We shouldn't be afraid of anyone.
03:13We need to stay true to the humility we've had from the very start.
03:16We mustn't fall into that trap, especially at this stage of the competition.
03:21Now, he can say whatever he likes.
03:23We'll try to prepare as well as we can in the run-up to the match.
03:27And at the end of the match, I hope the result will go our way.
03:33We're not worried. I think we knew this would be part of the adventure.
03:40That said, we're going to prepare as best we can.
03:44We've been through some extreme weather conditions and plenty of other challenges that were a bit tricky to deal with.
03:50But we rose to the occasion, so we'll do the same again.
03:56And with the semifinals now said, it's also time to take stock of the standout performers of the 2026 FIFA
04:01World Cup following the quarterfinals.
04:03In goal, Morocco's Yacine Bono earns the nod after another spectacular tournament highlighted by his heroics in the quarterfinals against
04:10France.
04:10The back four features Akraf Hakimi at right back, Theo Hernandez on the left, while Cristian Romero and Spain's teenage
04:17sensation Paul Kubarcy form a commanding central defensive partnership.
04:21In midfield, Alexis McAllister has been the heartbeat of Argentina.
04:25Jude Bellingham has established himself as one of the tournament's biggest stars with England.
04:29And Rodri continues to dictate Spain's play with his trademark composure and intelligence.
04:34Leading the attack is a trio packed with world-class talent.
04:37Kylian Mbappe remains France's most dangerous offensive weapon.
04:41Lionel Messi continues to rewrite World Cup history while inspiring Argentina's run to the semifinals.
04:46And despite Norway's elimination, Erling Haaland earns the striker spot after a tournament filled with goals and dominant performances.
04:53This is my best XI, of course.
04:55The official one is not given until the end of the tournament.
04:58Feel free to give us your best XI in the comments or our social media.
05:09And on his football show, La Pelota No Se Mancha, journalist Victor Hugo Morales harshly condemned Javier Mele's government,
05:15accusing it of using tear gas buttons and police brutality to suppress the people's joy.
05:22Why is it that this, this happiness sweeping the world, in this case among Argentines at the World Cup,
05:31victory, taking to the streets, singing, hugging one another, jumping for joy?
05:39Why must this be brutally interrupted by a regime that treats repression as a kind of school?
05:45A despicable school, of course.
05:48The government of Mili, led by a minister named Monte Oliva,
05:52took to the streets of Buenos Aires once again, specifically to put an end to the celebration.
05:58Go home, they said.
05:59Even though people wanted to keep celebrating until dawn the next day.
06:05A situation typical of this government, which Argentines have to endure, unfolded.
06:11Neoliberal atrocities, accompanied by batons, beatings, tear gas.
06:16Everything that debases the lives of citizens.
06:19And following allegations of political interference by U.S. President Donald Trump,
06:24calls are going for FIFA President Giovanni Infantino to step down.
06:28La Liga President Javier Tebas has shown the criticism of Infantino strongly condemning him
06:32over the controversies surrounding the overturned red card shown to U.S. international foliar in Balogun.
06:38A decision widely believed to have been made at Trump's request.
06:42Tebas argued that the incident is not an isolated mistake or anecdote,
06:46but rather the tip of the iceberg of a governance model that has been undermining FIFA's credibility for many years.
06:52Meanwhile, German manager Durgen Klopp said that if there was indeed political interference
06:57between Trump and Infantino and that matter was resolved like that,
07:00in his words, it's madness, it puts everything into question.
07:04The controversy has also reached the European Parliament,
07:07where lawmakers Barry Andrews, Lara Walters, and Niels Fulksan
07:11described FIFA's decision as a disgrace and a perversion of justice.
07:16They have joined 35 other members of Parliament in signing a letter
07:19calling on FIFA's Ethics Committee to investigate Gianni Infantino.
07:29And the current final stage has come to an end with two matches that left fans speechless.
07:34Social media once again erupted with claims of several officiating errors that went unnoticed by the referee,
07:40putting game officials under intense scrutiny as football federations and countries have raised their voices in protests.
07:46In Switzerland, demonstrators took to the streets to protest against FIFA
07:49and it's end-battled President Gianni Infantino.
07:52Protesters criticized the commercialization of the sport,
07:55alleged institutional corruption, refereeing decisions, match scheduling,
07:59and what they described as the modern business model imposed on football.
08:06Demonstrations began during the 2016 FIFA World Cup
08:09and escalated rapidly following Switzerland's quarterfinal elimination to Argentina.
08:14Protesters claimed the officiating favor of the Albi Celeste,
08:18pointing in particular to the controversial VRR-assisted dismissal
08:21of Swiss strikers Bril and Bolo for simulation.
08:30That's all for this edition of Beyond the Game.
08:32The post-dispure is going to be back with more.
08:34For now, we go back to you, Lottie.
08:36Thank you so much, Lizzie, for keeping us posted on all the updates related to the world of football.
08:41And with this special segment, we have come to the end of this news brief.
08:45Remember, you can find this and many of the stories on our website at thelesuidenglish.net.
08:49And join us on social media.
08:51We are on Facebook, X, Instagram, Telegram, and TikTok.
08:54For the Albi Celeste English, I am Lorena Fong.
Comments