In Spain, fans are celebrating after a 2-0 victory over France, with all eyes now firmly on the World Cup final. The winner between the defending champions, Argentina and England will take on the 2010 champions.&nbsp;Mikel Oyarzabal scored from the penalty spot after a brilliant move involving teenager Lamine Yamal. Pedro Porro added another goal as Spain booked its place in its first World Cup final since winning the title in 2010 with a 2-0 victory over France on Tuesday.&nbsp;"I am very happy with the team's attitude from start to finish. I think we played a great match. We did everything we had to do today to reach the final," said Pedro Porro, the Tottenham defender.&nbsp;But football has now produced an unlikely geopolitical moment. As the FIFA World Cup enters its final stages in the United States, one of Washington's biggest adversaries, Iran, has openly picked its favourite. And it is not just about football. It is also about politics, diplomacy, and a message to the world.&nbsp;https://www.wionews.com/videos/fifa-world-cup-2026-iran-says-spain-on-right-side-of-history-ahead-of-world-cup-final-1784201235152/embed&nbsp;Now, as all eyes turn to Sunday's final, Iran has publicly backed Spain, not only for its football but also for what it described as Spain's principled stand during one of West Asia's most turbulent periods.&nbsp;Spain's decision to formally recognise the State of Palestine and its refusal to provide military assistance to the United States and Israel during regional conflicts have significantly reshaped its diplomatic relationship with Iran.&nbsp;Also Read: '<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/are-you-muslim-indian-man-stabbed-15-times-in-us-after-being-asked-about-religion-1784133567663">Are you Muslim?': Indian man stabbed 15 times in US after being asked about religion</a>&nbsp;In a post on social media, Iran congratulated Spain, saying it had chosen "the right side of history."&nbsp;"Spain's responsible conduct in opposing the Zionist-American coalition's flagrant human rights violations and military aggression against countries, including Iran, shows that ethics and awakened consciences still exist in the West. I commend Spanish officials for their stances," Iranian President Pezeshkian wrote on X.&nbsp;This is not the first time Tehran has publicly praised Madrid.&nbsp;In March, Tehran thanked Madrid for refusing to support US-led strikes, marking a rare moment of diplomatic warmth between a nation under bombardment and a European country resisting Washington's pressure.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><a href="https://x.com/hashtag/FIFAWorldCup2026?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FIFAWorldCup2026</a> | <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/GoalFIFA2026?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoalFIFA2026</a> | Why is Iran publicly supporting Spain at the FIFA World Cup being played in the United States? This is more than a football story. It is a story of diplomacy, symbolism and geopolitics<a href="https://x.com/MollyGambhir?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MollyGambhir</a> has more <a href="https://t.co/czjbrnNtuB">pic.twitter.com/czjbrnNtuB</a>&mdash; WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://x.com/WIONews/status/2077439074324074576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 15, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Spain&#39;s responsible conduct in opposing the Zionist-American coalition&#39;s flagrant human rights violations and military aggression against countries, including Iran, shows that ethics and awakened consciences still exist in the West. I commend Spanish officials for their stances.&mdash; Masoud Pezeshkian (@drpezeshkian) <a href="https://x.com/drpezeshkian/status/2029259618984026499?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Even Pope Leo XIV recently commended Spain's commitment to peace, dialogue, and international solidarity.&nbsp;However, Madrid's position has not gone down well with Washington. US President Donald Trump has ordered a complete freeze on all American trade with Spain, openly branding it a terrible partner in NATO.&nbsp;Iran's own World Cup campaign makes this moment even more significant. The national team arrived in the United States facing restrictions that no other team experienced, with its base camp shifted at the last minute to Mexico, staff denied visas, and players competing while their country remained under attack back home.&nbsp;The Iranian team left the United States in the last week of June, leaving behind a message in the locker room in Los Angeles thanking their hosts.&nbsp;The letter referred to the 168 people, most of them children, who were killed in a US airstrike on a school in Minab shortly after the US-led conflict with Iran began in February.&nbsp;That backdrop makes Tehran's support for Spain about far more than football. It is a gesture of solidarity towards a country willing to say no to Washington, expressed by a nation that knows exactly what saying no can cost. Football was supposed to be neutral ground. This World Cup appears to be something else.

Iran publicly backed Spain ahead of the FIFA World Cup final, linking its support to Madrid's diplomatic stance on West Asia and adding a geopolitical dimension to the tournament.

In Spain, fans are celebrating after a 2-0 victory over France, with all eyes now firmly on the World Cup final. The winner between the defending champions, Argentina and England will take on the 2010 champions. Mikel Oyarzabal scored from the penalty spot after a brilliant move involving teenager Lamine Yamal. Pedro Porro added another goal as Spain booked its place in its first World Cup final since winning the title in 2010 with a 2-0 victory over France on Tuesday. "I am very happy with the team's attitude from start to finish. I think we played a great match. We did everything we had to do today to reach the final," said Pedro Porro, the Tottenham defender. But football has now produced an unlikely geopolitical moment. As the FIFA World Cup enters its final stages in the United States, one of Washington's biggest adversaries, Iran, has openly picked its favourite. And it is not just about football. It is also about politics, diplomacy, and a message to the world. https://www.wionews.com/videos/fifa-world-cup-2026-iran-says-spain-on-right-side-of-history-ahead-of-world-cup-final-1784201235152/embed Now, as all eyes turn to Sunday's final, Iran has publicly backed Spain, not only for its football but also for what it described as Spain's principled stand during one of West Asia's most turbulent periods. Spain's decision to formally recognise the State of Palestine and its refusal to provide military assistance to the United States and Israel during regional conflicts have significantly reshaped its diplomatic relationship with Iran. Also Read: 'Are you Muslim?': Indian man stabbed 15 times in US after being asked about religion In a post on social media, Iran congratulated Spain, saying it had chosen "the right side of history." "Spain's responsible conduct in opposing the Zionist-American coalition's flagrant human rights violations and military aggression against countries, including Iran, shows that ethics and awakened consciences still exist in the West. I commend Spanish officials for their stances," Iranian President Pezeshkian wrote on X. This is not the first time Tehran has publicly praised Madrid. In March, Tehran thanked Madrid for refusing to support US-led strikes, marking a rare moment of diplomatic warmth between a nation under bombardment and a European country resisting Washington's pressure.

Iran publicly backed Spain ahead of the FIFA World Cup final, linking its support to Madrid's diplomatic stance on West Asia and adding a geopolitical dimension to the tournament.

Spain's World Cup final run takes a geopolitical dimension as Iran publicly backs Madrid | Gravitas

Spain knocked France out of the race for the final with a thumping 2-0 win in the first semifinal at the Dallas Stadium. Forward Mikel Oyarzabal and fullback Pedro Porro scored in each half, as clinical Spain sank Kylian Mbappé’s French side to make it to their second-ever World Cup final. This is also the first time they have reached the summit clash since lifting their maiden FIFA crown in 2010 in South Africa. Spain will face the winner of the England-Argentina second semifinal in New Jersey on July 19.&nbsp;Spain was outstanding against France in the first semifinal. Having conceded just one goal in this tournament thus far, Spain’s backline maintained the streak, as even the attack of France’s calibre failed to breach it even once. Right from the word go, Spain, the European champions, controlled the ball and possession better, even creating more chances.&nbsp; &nbsp;Even though France also had their moments throughout the game, they were never able to convert those into goals.&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/will-fifa-expand-the-world-cup-to-64-teams-here-s-how-it-could-work-1784048727792">Will FIFA expand the World Cup to 64 teams? Here's how it could work</a> &nbsp;In the first half, Lucas Digne’s unintentional foul on Spain’s youngest player, Lamine Yamal, led to a penalty, which Oyarzabal converted from the spot to give his team an early and timely lead in this crucial match. Even without their star player, Pedri, in the starting XI, Spain’s midfield never allowed France to feel comfortable about their game; instead, they kept them on their toes until the end.&nbsp;

FIFA World Cup 2026 Live on Zee5

Following a stunning first half from Spain, they carried the momentum into the next. Working through gaps and winning the ball led to a moment that sealed their final fate, as fullback Porro made the most of Dani Olmo’s slightest touch to put the ball in the back of the net in the 58th minute. The smile on Porro’s face and the dejection on Mbappé’s face told the entire story as Spain maintained the lead and completed a fantastic win at the Dallas Stadium.&nbsp; &nbsp;With this win, Yamal continued his unbeaten streak against Mbappé in major tournaments, having won two semifinals in the UEFA Nations League and the Euros. Yamal, who, before the game against the French side, said that ‘France should fear Spain’, has reached a World Cup final in his debut edition. At 19, he has a chance to create history for himself and his country. &nbsp;Meanwhile, England and Argentina will face off in the second semifinal in Atlanta, with the winner advancing to the final. The loser, however, would face France for the 3rd spot.

Spain advanced to the World Cup 2026 final with a clinical 2-0 semifinal victory over tournament favorites France at Dallas Stadium. Goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro sealed a historic win for La Roja. Read the full match analysis and highlights. 

Spain knocked France out of the race for the final with a thumping 2-0 win in the first semifinal at the Dallas Stadium. Forward Mikel Oyarzabal and fullback Pedro Porro scored in each half, as clinical Spain sank Kylian Mbappé’s French side to make it to their second-ever World Cup final. This is also the first time they have reached the summit clash since lifting their maiden FIFA crown in 2010 in South Africa. Spain will face the winner of the England-Argentina second semifinal in New Jersey on July 19. Spain was outstanding against France in the first semifinal. Having conceded just one goal in this tournament thus far, Spain’s backline maintained the streak, as even the attack of France’s calibre failed to breach it even once. Right from the word go, Spain, the European champions, controlled the ball and possession better, even creating more chances. Even though France also had their moments throughout the game, they were never able to convert those into goals. Also read| Will FIFA expand the World Cup to 64 teams? Here's how it could work In the first half, Lucas Digne’s unintentional foul on Spain’s youngest player, Lamine Yamal, led to a penalty, which Oyarzabal converted from the spot to give his team an early and timely lead in this crucial match. Even without their star player, Pedri, in the starting XI, Spain’s midfield never allowed France to feel comfortable about their game; instead, they kept them on their toes until the end.

Spain advanced to the World Cup 2026 final with a clinical 2-0 semifinal victory over tournament favorites France at Dallas Stadium. Goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro sealed a historic win for La Roja. Read the full match analysis and highlights.&nbsp;

World Cup 2026, 1st Semifinal: Spain sink France to book final spot; Oyarzabal, Porro on target

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Spain's World Cup final run takes a geopolitical dimension as Iran publicly backs Madrid | Gravitas

Spain sink France to book World Cup final spot; Oyarzabal, Porro on target