The 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals delivered drama, extra-time heroics, and a dream semifinal lineup. England and Argentina both needed extra time to overcome stubborn opponents on Sunday, setting up a mouthwatering clash in Atlanta on Wednesday.
England 2-1 Norway (AET) — Bellingham the Hero in Miami
Jude Bellingham cemented his status as a global superstar with a brace that carried England past a resilient Norway side at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. The Real Madrid midfielder opened the scoring in the first half with a composed finish inside the box, but Norway struck back through Erling Haaland early in the second half — the Manchester City striker’s fifth goal of the tournament, keeping his Golden Boot hopes alive.
With the score locked at 1-1 after 90 minutes, extra time beckoned in the sweltering South Florida heat. Bellingham delivered once again, rising highest to meet a Bukayo Saka cross in the 107th minute, powering a header past the Norwegian keeper and sending the England bench into raptures. Harry Kane celebrated with his teammate as England booked their first semifinal appearance since 2018.
England manager Gareth Southgate praised his team’s resilience: “This team has a special spirit. To grind out results like this, in these conditions, against a very good Norway side — that’s what champions are made of.”
Argentina 3-1 Switzerland (AET) — Defending Champions Survive Scare
Defending champions Argentina joined England in the semifinals after a hard-fought 3-1 extra-time victory over Switzerland at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Switzerland’s task became even more difficult when they were reduced to 10 men early in extra time, and Argentina capitalized ruthlessly.
Julián Álvarez was the star of the show, scoring a stunning golazo that lit up the stadium. With the game deadlocked, Álvarez collected a pass outside the box, turned his marker, and unleashed an unstoppable curling effort into the top corner. Lautaro Martínez added a late third to seal the result after Nico Elvedi had equalized for Switzerland late in regulation.
Lionel Messi, playing in what could be his final World Cup, provided two assists on the night and continues to orchestrate Argentina’s title defense with trademark brilliance.
Upcoming Semifinal Schedule
| Match | Date | Time (ET) | Venue | TV (US) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| France vs Spain | Tue, Jul 14 | 3:00 PM | AT&T Stadium, Arlington (Dallas) | FOX / Telemundo |
| England vs Argentina | Wed, Jul 15 | 3:00 PM | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta | FOX / Telemundo |
The winners meet in the World Cup Final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The third-place match will be played on July 18 in Miami.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the World Cup 2026 semifinalists?
France, Spain, England, and Argentina — four traditional powerhouses, all former World Cup winners.
When and where is the England vs Argentina semifinal?
Wednesday, July 15 at 3:00 PM ET at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
What happens if a semifinal is tied after extra time?
A penalty shootout will decide the winner. There is no replay in knockout matches.
Where can I watch the matches?
In the US, both semifinals air on FOX (English) and Telemundo (Spanish), with streaming on the FOX Sports app and Peacock.
When is the World Cup 2026 Final?
Sunday, July 19, 2026 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.