French President Emmanuel Macron will not attend the Euro 2024 semifinal between Spain and France, scheduled for July 14, 2026, in Dallas, Texas. This decision marks a departure from his presence at previous major football matches, including the 2018 World Cup semifinal against Belgium and the 2022 World Cup semifinal against Morocco.
The match, part of the UEFA European Championship, will see France face Spain at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, near Dallas. Macron's absence has been confirmed by the Élysée Palace, though no specific reason was provided. The date coincides with Bastille Day, France's national holiday, which may have influenced scheduling considerations.
Macron had attended France's 1-0 victory over Belgium in the 2018 World Cup semifinal in Saint Petersburg and the 2-0 win against Morocco in the 2022 World Cup semifinal in Al Khor, Qatar. His decision not to travel to the United States for this match breaks that pattern.
The semifinal is part of the expanded Euro 2024 tournament, which was postponed to 2026 due to scheduling conflicts. France, the reigning World Cup runners-up, are seeking their first European Championship title since 2000.
