The stage is set for the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with France, Spain, England and Argentina all remaining in the race for football’s biggest prize after an exciting knockout phase.
Spain humbled high-flying Morocco by 2-0 in the quarter-final, Spain also nipped on late Mikel Merino’s goal to win edge Belgium 2-1 to also make it in the last four.
Jude Bellingham’s brace also propelled England to a precious 2-1 victory over Norway before reigning champions Argentina left if late to beat Switzerland 3-1 to also advance.
The first semi-final will see France take on Spain on Tuesday, July 14, at 19:00 GMT, while England will face Argentina a day later on Wednesday, July 15, also at 19:00 GMT, with both matches promising blockbuster encounters between some of the world’s biggest footballing nations.
The final four have already made history even before the semi-finals kick off. For the first time since the FIFA World Ranking system was introduced in 1993, the four highest-ranked nations have all reached the semi-finals of the World Cup.
Current world number one France will face third-ranked Spain, while second-ranked Argentina lock horns with fourth-ranked England in what is regarded as an unprecedented achievement in World Cup history.
Never before have all four of the highest-ranked teams progressed to the last four of the tournament. It has been rare for even three of the top four ranked nations to reach the semi-finals, making the 2026 edition one of the most remarkable tournaments since the FIFA rankings were introduced.
With a place in the World Cup final at stake, the four football powerhouses will now battle for supremacy, as fans around the world eagerly await two mouthwatering semi-final clashes that could produce one of the most memorable finishes in tournament history.
