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Semi-Finals Beckon After Two Thrilling Quarter-Final Clashes
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is heating up as the quarter-finals delivered drama, heartbreak, and a sprinkle of late-game magic. With two spots in the semi-finals already claimed, football fans around the world are locking in for what promises to be an unforgettable final week of the tournament across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
🇪🇸 Spain 2-1 Belgium — Merino Does It Again
Mikel Merino is quickly becoming the super-sub of the tournament. The Arsenal midfielder climbed off the bench for the third time this World Cup and scored yet another late winner — this time in the 88th minute — to send Spain past Belgium and into the semi-finals.
Spain had taken the lead in the 30th minute when Fabián Ruiz, starting ahead of Pedri, drilled home from close range after Dani Olmo’s initial effort was saved by Thibaut Courtois. But Belgium responded before half-time, with Charles De Ketelaere heading in Timothy Castagne’s cross to level the score.
The defining moment came when Courtois, the Real Madrid legend, broke down in tears after suffering an apparent muscle injury and had to be substituted in the 71st minute. His replacement, Manchester United’s Senne Lammens, could not hold Pau Cubarsí’s 25-yard strike, and Merino — on the pitch for just 117 seconds — pounced on the rebound to smash Spain into the semi-finals.
Spain will face France in Dallas on Tuesday, July 14 in a clash between the 2010 champions and the two-time winners.
🇫🇷 France 2-0 Morocco — Mbappé Magic Decides Tight Contest
France booked their place in the last four with a commanding but hard-fought 2-0 victory over a resilient Morocco side in a rematch of the 2022 semi-final. Kylian Mbappé was at the heart of everything, missing a first-half penalty before producing a moment of sheer brilliance to break the deadlock.
With the score goalless and Morocco defending heroically, Mbappé received the ball on the edge of the box, used Issa Diop as a shield, and curled a stunning 98 km/h strike inside the far post — a goal that left the stadium in awe and gave France the lead in the 60th minute.
Ousmane Dembélé then doubled the advantage moments later, arcing his shot past Yassine Bounou to seal the win. France, widely tipped as tournament favorites, now look toward a semi-final date with Spain.
Match Results at a Glance
| Match | Score | Date | Key Player |
|---|---|---|---|
| France vs Morocco | 2-0 | July 9 | Kylian Mbappé (1G, 1A) |
| Spain vs Belgium | 2-1 | July 10 | Mikel Merino (88′ winner) |
What’s Coming Next?
Quarter-Final 3: 🇳🇴 Norway vs England — Saturday, July 11
The match everyone is talking about. Erling Haaland’s Norway face Harry Kane’s England in what promises to be a box-office showdown. England manager Thomas Tuchel admitted he “can’t avoid focusing” on Haaland, who has a history of terrorizing Tuchel’s sides. England are coming off a dramatic 3-2 win over Mexico in the Round of 16, while Norway stunned Brazil 2-1 thanks to a Haaland brace. This could be the match of the tournament.
Quarter-Final 4: 🇦🇷 Argentina vs Switzerland — Sunday, July 12
Defending champions Argentina face a confident Swiss side that eliminated Colombia on penalties. Lionel Messi, who missed another penalty against Egypt but inspired a stunning 3-2 comeback, will be looking to lead his team one step closer to back-to-back World Cup titles. Switzerland’s Granit Xhaka has been in superb form and will be a key figure in midfield.
Semi-Final Schedule
| Match | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| France vs Spain | July 14 | Dallas, TX |
| Winner (NOR/ENG) vs Winner (ARG/SUI) | July 15 | TBD |
Looking Ahead
The Golden Boot race is heating up too, with Mbappé, Messi, Haaland, and Kane all in the mix. The World Cup final is set for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. With France looking unstoppable, Spain finding late heroics, and England and Norway set to collide, the path to the trophy has never been more intriguing.
FAQ
When is the World Cup 2026 final?
The final will be played on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Which teams are in the semi-finals so far?
France and Spain have qualified. The remaining two spots will be decided by Norway vs England (July 11) and Argentina vs Switzerland (July 12).
Where can I watch the World Cup 2026?
In the US, matches are broadcast on Fox Sports, FS1, and streamed on various platforms. Check local listings.