The 2026 World Cup semifinals are set, with France facing Spain in Dallas on Tuesday, 14 July, before England meet defending champions Argentina in Atlanta the following day.
All four teams secured their places through the quarterfinals, leaving two European sides and two former champions competing for places in the final. According to the official FIFA bracket, the semifinal winners will meet at New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday, 19 July.
France and Spain Meet in Dallas
France will play Spain at Dallas Stadium at 2 p.m. local time on 14 July. France are attempting to reach a third consecutive World Cup final after winning the tournament in 2018 and finishing second to Argentina in 2022.
Didier Deschamps’ team advanced with a 2-0 quarterfinal victory over Morocco. Kylian Mbappé missed a penalty in the first half but recovered to score in the 60th minute. He then created the second goal for Ousmane Dembélé six minutes later.
Mbappé has scored eight goals in the tournament, while Dembélé has five. France have conceded twice and have yet to allow a goal during the knockout rounds, according to FIFA’s semifinal preview.
Spain reached the last four by defeating Belgium 2-1 in Los Angeles. Fabián Ruiz opened the scoring in the 30th minute before Charles De Ketelaere equalised for Belgium. Mikel Merino struck the winner in the 88th minute after goalkeeper Senne Lammens could not hold Pau Cubarsí’s long-range effort.
Luis de la Fuente’s side had already required another late Merino goal to eliminate Portugal in the previous round. Spain’s midfield options include Rodri, Pedri and Dani Olmo, with Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams providing width in attack.
Bellingham Sends England Through
England booked their place with a 2-1 extra-time victory over Norway in Miami. Andreas Schjelderup gave Norway the lead in the 36th minute, but Jude Bellingham equalised during first-half stoppage time with a driving run and composed finish.
The match remained level after 90 minutes. Bellingham then reacted first when Norway goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland spilled Morgan Rogers’ shot, scoring the decisive goal in the 93rd minute. The FIFA match report recorded it as Bellingham’s sixth goal of the tournament, putting him level with England captain Harry Kane.
England will play in their fourth World Cup semifinal, following appearances in 1966, 1990 and 2018. Their match against Argentina will begin at 3 p.m. local time at Atlanta Stadium on Wednesday, 15 July.
Argentina Survive Extra-Time Test
Argentina completed the semifinal lineup by beating Switzerland 3-1 after extra time in Kansas City. Alexis Mac Allister headed in Lionel Messi’s corner in the 10th minute, but Dan Ndoye equalised for Switzerland in the 67th.
Switzerland were reduced to 10 players five minutes later when Breel Embolo received a second yellow card. Argentina could not find another goal in normal time, but Julyán Álvarez broke the deadlock with a curling finish in the 112th minute. Lautaro Martínez completed the scoring in added time.
The result continued Argentina’s defence of the title they won in Qatar. FIFA’s quarterfinal report said Lionel Scaloni’s team had scored in 15 consecutive World Cup matches.
The bracket now offers two confirmed contests with distinct recent histories: France seeking another final, Spain attempting to return for the first time since winning in 2010, England pursuing their first title since 1966 and Argentina trying to retain the trophy.