Updated
Updated · Yahoo Sports · Jul 12
2026 World Cup Sets 4-Team Semifinals as France, Spain, England and Argentina Advance
Updated
Updated · Yahoo Sports · Jul 12

2026 World Cup Sets 4-Team Semifinals as France, Spain, England and Argentina Advance

3 articles · Updated · Yahoo Sports · Jul 12

Summary

  • Four teams remain from the 48-nation field after the quarterfinals, with France, Spain, England and defending champion Argentina clinching semifinal spots.
  • France beat Morocco 2-0, Spain edged Belgium 2-1, England eliminated Norway 2-1 and Argentina defeated Switzerland 3-1 to complete the bracket.
  • July 14 brings France vs. Spain at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, while July 15 pits England against Argentina at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta; both kick off at 3 p.m. ET.
  • The winners will meet in the July 19 final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with the third-place match set for July 18 in Miami Gardens.
  • The semifinal lineup also matches the world’s top four FIFA-ranked teams, a first under the expanded 48-team tournament format.

Insights

Has the new 48-team format and engineered draw made the World Cup's early stages irrelevant?
Did FIFA's quest for 'blockbuster games' kill the unpredictable magic of the World Cup?
With host cities bearing huge costs, who are the real winners of FIFA's record-breaking tournament?