French fans turned downtown Dallas blue on Monday (July 13) as the sun dipped over the Texan city, gathering in jubilant spirits ahead of their nation's crucial World Cup semi-final clash against Spain on Tuesday (July 14).

Waving French flags, brandishing baguettes and proudly displaying rooster effigies, hundreds of supporters filled Klyde Warren Park, their chants of "Allez les Bleus" echoing into the evening.

The passion is set to intensify on Tuesday as fans prepare to rally near Dallas Stadium, in Arlington, before marching together in a show of unity ahead of the high-stakes showdown.

With Aurelien Tchouameni returning to strengthen France's midfield and Kylian Mbappe poised to exploit Spain's high pressing on the counterattack, the stage is set for a gripping battle between two of the tournament's footballing powerhouses.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

1. VARIOUS OF FRANCE FANS CHANTING, JUMPING, WAVING FLAGS

2. MAN PLAYING DRUMS / FANS CHANTING

3. VARIOUS OF MAN HOLDING DOG WEARING CLICHE FRENCH PERSON OUTFIT COMPLETE WITH BERET

4. FANS JUMPING, CHANTING, WAVING FLAGS

5. FRANCE FAN, JEAN MARC LE BERR WAVING FLAG

6. (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRANCE FAN FROM LORIENT WHO HAS FOLLOWED FIVE WORLD CUPS, JEAN-MARC LE BERRE, SAYING:

"We are confident, we have never had the best French team at all levels, but a match remains a match, so you have to win on the pitch. That's it."

7. (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRANCE FAN, SEPHORA KASOMBOLA, SAYING:

"I am a little bit stressed because you have to know that Spain is a very good team. We also have a very good team, so I'm a bit mixed. I'm a little afraid of the result."

8. (SOUNDBITE) (English) FRANCE FAN, ANTONIN MUGGEO, SAYING:

"I'm so stressed. I'm excited and stressed at the same time. We know that Spain is one of the best teams in the world. We have so much respect for them. They won the Euro, they won that, they won two years ago at the Euros and they won against France, they won a year ago at the Nations League against France, too. They have one of the best players in the world, Lamine Yamal. Very excited. I'm very hopeful that France is gonna go through."

9. VARIOUS OF FANS DANCING AND SINGING

10. (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRANCE FAN, JULIE REBUT, SAYING (ASKED ABOUT WHAT FRANCE NEEDS TO WIN):

"I would say good cohesion, a team spirit, but as usual, so I have no doubt that everything is going to go well."

11. (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRANCE FAN FROM LORIENT WHO HAS FOLLOWED FIVE WORLD CUPS, JEAN-MARC LE BERRE, SAYING:

"Oh, I think they are more motivated than ever. It's (coach Didier) Deschamps' last one. There have been remarks made by certain people that will make them even more motivated, but I don't think that's what motivates them the most. What motivates them is to go all the way in the competition and win the World Cup."

12. (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRANCE FAN, SEPHORA KASOMBOLA, SAYING:

"Well honestly, we would be super happy as French people. We can't wait to get to the final and why not play against Argentina to get that face-off we've been waiting for for four years now."

13. VARIOUS OF FANS CELEBRATING NEAR FOUNTAIN IN DOWNTOWN DALLAS.