The final stretch of the 2026 World Cup has already begun, and the latest episode of the Nueva Jugada podcast breaks down everything that happened after France advanced to the semifinals with a 2-0 victory over Morocco in a match that was full of excitement, controversy, and several unanswered questions heading into the next phase of the tournament. You can listen to the podcast HERE.
Hosted by sports journalists Alex Loé and Linda Cabazos, the show offers a dynamic and engaging analysis of the day’s most important World Cup moments, combining news, opinion, and the laid-back style that has made both hosts leading figures among new sports audiences.
Click on the photo to listen to the podcast
Alex Loé, known for her coverage of sporting events in Mexico and around the world and her presence in digital media and on television, shares the microphone with Linda Cabazos, a journalist specializing in soccer and sports news, who has built a solid career covering high-level tournaments and connecting with fans through digital platforms.
In this episode, the hosts discuss how France managed to become the first semifinalist in the 2026 World Cup, although they agree that Morocco put up much stiffer resistance than expected during several stretches of the match.
France Reaches the Semifinals of the 2026 World Cup
One of the main topics of discussion is Kylian Mbappé’s performance; he was once again a key player in the scoring, but also raised concerns after leaving the game with ice on one of his ankles.
Alex and Linda discuss the French forward’s importance to their national team’s hopes and the impact a potential injury would have ahead of the semifinals.
The podcast also takes a look at the outlook heading into the next match, where France awaits the winner of the match between Spain and Belgium.
In addition, the hosts highlight the Spanish national team’s current success and analyze the extreme weather conditions that several teams have faced during the World Cup in cities such as Los Angeles, Miami, and New York.
Justin Bieber at halftime
As is customary, Nueva Jugada also devotes space to topics surrounding the tournament off the field.
This time, they discuss the confirmation of Justin Bieber as one of the guest performers for the World Cup final halftime show, an announcement that joins the participation of international stars such as Shakira, BTS, and other artists who will be part of the event.
The episode concludes with a look at the World Cup schedule, the upcoming quarterfinal matchups, and the anticipation surrounding the four semifinalists who will continue in the fight to lift soccer’s most prestigious trophy.
“Nueva Jugada” is an original production by Nueva Network, created to provide analysis, news, and discussion of the most relevant current sports events, with a fresh and relatable perspective for the Hispanic audience in the United States.
The episode is now available on all audio platforms, such as Apple Podcasts and Spotify, where you can also listen to other shows promoted by Nueva Network, such as *Los Jefes*.
Filed under: France Reaches the 2026 World Cup Semifinals