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World Cup 2026 Semifinals Set: France, Spain, England, and Argentina Battle for Glory
The 2026 FIFA World Cup has reached its final four. After a thrilling set of quarterfinal matches played across Boston, Los Angeles, Miami, and Kansas City, four heavyweight nations remain: France, Spain, England, and defending champions Argentina. With the semifinals scheduled for July 14 and 15, football fans around the world are in for a treat as two European powerhouses collide in Dallas while a historic rivalry reignites in Atlanta.
Quarterfinal Results Recap
| Match | Date | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| France vs. Morocco | July 9 | France 2-0 Morocco | Gillette Stadium, Foxborough |
| Spain vs. Belgium | July 10 | Spain 2-1 Belgium | SoFi Stadium, Inglewood |
| Norway vs. England | July 11 | England 2-1 Norway (AET) | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens |
| Argentina vs. Switzerland | July 11 | Argentina 3-1 Switzerland (AET) | Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City |
How They Got There
France 2-0 Morocco
Kylian Mbappé was the star once again, scoring a stunning goal in the 60th minute — making up for a missed first-half penalty — before setting up Ousmane Dembélé for the second just six minutes later. France cruised into the semifinals with a professional performance, extending their dominance over Morocco following their 2022 semifinal win.
Spain 2-1 Belgium
Spain edged past a resilient Belgium side in Los Angeles. Fabián Ruiz opened the scoring, but Belgium fought back to level the match. It took a second-half strike from Mikel Merino to separate the sides, sending La Roja to their first World Cup semifinal since winning the trophy in 2010. They will now face France in a mouthwatering all-European clash.
England 2-1 Norway (AET)
In one of the most dramatic matches of the tournament, England came from behind to beat a spirited Norway side in extra time. Andreas Schjelderup gave Norway a shock lead in the first half, but Jude Bellingham — who else? — equalized just before the break with a moment of individual brilliance. Norway had a second-half goal controversially disallowed after VAR review, and Bellingham struck again in extra time, pouncing on a defensive error to score his sixth goal of the tournament. Erling Haaland was kept quiet and substituted at half-time of extra time as Norway’s dream run came to an end.
Argentina 3-1 Switzerland (AET)
Defending champions Argentina needed extra time to overcome a brave Swiss side in Kansas City. Lionel Messi set up Alexis Mac Allister for the opener in the 10th minute, but Switzerland equalized through Dan Ndoye in the 67th minute. The turning point came when Breel Embolo was sent off for a second yellow card for simulation. Despite being down to 10 men, Switzerland held on to force extra time. Julián Álvarez produced a breathtaking curling strike in the 112th minute to break Swiss hearts, and Lautaro Martínez added a late third to seal the win.
Semifinal Matchups
| Semifinal | Date | Kickoff (ET) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| France vs. Spain | Tuesday, July 14 | 3:00 PM | AT&T Stadium, Arlington (Dallas) |
| Argentina vs. England | Wednesday, July 15 | 3:00 PM | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta |
Key Storylines to Watch
France vs. Spain — European Heavyweights Collide: France is bidding for a third consecutive World Cup final appearance after winning in 2018 and finishing runner-up in 2022. Spain, playing their first semifinal since their 2010 triumph, boast the tournament’s most fluid midfield. With Kylian Mbappé (8 goals) leading the Golden Boot race alongside Messi, France will look to exploit Spain’s high defensive line.
Argentina vs. England — A Historic Rivalry Renewed: This will be the first World Cup meeting between these two nations since 2002, and the stakes could not be higher. Argentina is attempting to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the World Cup. England, meanwhile, is chasing their first World Cup final appearance since 1966. Lionel Messi, at what is expected to be his final World Cup, has been in inspired form with 8 goals and continued creative brilliance. Jude Bellingham has emerged as England’s hero, scoring crucial goals in back-to-back knockout matches.
FAQ
Q: When is the World Cup 2026 Final?
A: The Final is on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Q: What about the third-place match?
A: The third-place match will be played on Saturday, July 18, in Miami.
Q: Where can I watch in the US?
A: All matches air on FOX and FS1 in English, and Telemundo and Universo in Spanish.
Looking Ahead
The semifinals promise two blockbuster matchups. France-Spain on Tuesday pits the tournament’s most feared attack against its most technically gifted midfield. Wednesday’s Argentina-England clash carries decades of World Cup history — from Maradona’s “Hand of God” in 1986 to Beckham’s red card in 1998. With the top four teams in the FIFA rankings all still alive, the 2026 World Cup is delivering its most thrilling football at exactly the right time.
Which two teams will meet in the Final at MetLife Stadium? We’ll know by Wednesday night.