The 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals delivered drama, controversy, and breathtaking football as England edged Norway in extra time and Argentina survived a Swiss scare to set up a mouthwatering semi-final clash in Atlanta.
England 2-1 Norway (AET) – Bellingham Shines Again
Thomas Tuchel’s England side showed their fighting spirit once more, coming from behind to beat Norway 2-1 after extra time in Miami. The Norwegians took the lead through Andreas Schjelderup’s contentious cross-shot that squeezed past Jordan Pickford, but Jude Bellingham – who else? – levelled before half-time with a trademark driving run and finish.
The match remained tense throughout the second half, with Erling Haaland a constant threat for Norway. However, England’s persistence paid off in extra time when substitute Cole Palmer fired home from the edge of the box to send the Three Lions through. The victory sparked furious debate – Erling Haaland’s father publicly claimed Norway were “robbed” by key refereeing decisions, while Tuchel himself labelled England’s performance “lucky” – a comment that drew a sharp response from Bellingham post-match.
Jordan Pickford also made history, surpassing Peter Shilton as England’s all-time World Cup goalkeeping appearance maker with his 18th match at the tournament.
Argentina 2-1 Switzerland (AET) – Embolo Controversy & Alvarez Magic
In Kansas City, Argentina’s bid for back-to-back World Cups stayed alive after a chaotic 2-1 extra-time victory over Switzerland. Alexis Mac Allister headed Argentina ahead early from Lionel Messi’s corner, but Switzerland grew into the game and deservedly equalised through Nottingham Forest winger Dan Ndoye’s clinical finish.
The game turned in the second half when Breel Embolo was sent off after a VAR review. The Swiss striker, already on a yellow card, was shown a second yellow for simulation under the “mistaken identity” protocol – the referee had originally booked Leandro Paredes before VAR intervened. Embolo left the pitch in tears as Swiss players and staff protested furiously.
With the extra man, Argentina turned up the pressure. Julian Alvarez delivered a moment of pure genius, curling an unstoppable 25-yard effort past Gregor Kobel in extra time. Lautaro Martinez sealed it on the counter-attack late on, though Switzerland had pushed desperately for a second equaliser.
Infantino Mulls Expansion to 64 Teams
In a separate development, FIFA President Gianni Infantino revealed he is considering expanding the World Cup further from 48 to 64 teams for the 2030 edition. “Every nation should be allowed to dream of participating in the World Cup,” Infantino told Swiss media, pointing to the success of the expanded 48-team format where nine out of ten African teams reached the knockout stage.
2026 World Cup – Semi-Final Schedule
| Match | Date | Venue |
| France vs Spain | Tuesday, 14 July | TBC |
| Argentina vs England | Wednesday, 15 July – 20:00 BST | Atlanta |
| Final | Sunday, 19 July | TBC |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When is the Argentina vs England semi-final?
A: The match kicks off at 20:00 BST on Wednesday, 15 July 2026 in Atlanta, USA.
Q: Who are the remaining teams in the 2026 World Cup?
A: Four teams remain: Argentina, England, France, and Spain. The two semi-finals will decide who meets in the final on 19 July.
Q: What happened with the Embolo red card?
A: Switzerland’s Breel Embolo was sent off for simulation after a VAR review overturned an original booking for Argentina’s Leandro Paredes under the mistaken identity rule – a decision that sparked major controversy.
Q: Is the World Cup expanding again?
A: FIFA President Infantino has suggested a 64-team format could be examined for the 2030 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay.
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