World Cup 2026 semi-finals set: England to face Argentina, France to play Spain

By Chukwuemeka Umeh — 12 July 2026 — 3 min read

World Cup 2026 Semi-Finals Confirmed

The World Cup 2026 has reached its semi-final stage, with four teams remaining after 100 matches. The upcoming fixtures will determine which teams advance to the final on July 19. The semi-final matches are scheduled for Tuesday, July 14, and Wednesday, July 15, with both games kicking off at 8pm UK time.

In the first semi-final, France will play Spain in Arlington, USA. The second semi-final will see England take on Argentina in Atlanta, USA. These matches follow a series of quarter-final encounters that concluded on Sunday, July 12.

Quarter-Final Results and Key Performances

The quarter-finals featured several notable performances. On Thursday, July 9, France secured a 2-0 victory over Morocco in Foxborough, USA. Kylian Mbappe was instrumental in France’s win, creating space for Dembele to extend their lead. Michael Olise also delivered an excellent performance for France.

Spain advanced to the semi-finals after defeating Belgium 2-1 in Los Angeles, USA, on Friday, July 10. Lamine Yamal was a key player for Spain in their victory. Rodri‘s performance in the Spanish midfield was highlighted as a dominant display, completing more passes and carrying the ball further than any other player in the tournament so far. His sense of anticipation and positioning were crucial in their patient possession play.

On Saturday, July 11, England eliminated Norway with a 2-1 win in Miami, USA. Jude Bellingham played a pivotal role in England’s progression, scoring two goals and demonstrating his importance to the team. His technical quality and competitiveness were evident, particularly in securing the rebound that led to the winning goal. Elliot Anderson also contributed significantly with 120 tireless minutes against Norway, helping to create the equalizer.

The final quarter-final match on Sunday, July 12, saw Argentina defeat Switzerland 3-1 in Kansas City, USA. Lionel Messi led the defending champions, with Julian Alvarez scoring a crucial extra-time goal to secure their spot in the semi-finals.

Route to the Final and Key Players

The winners of the France versus Spain match will face the winners of the England versus Argentina match in the final. The World Cup 2026 final is scheduled for Sunday, July 19, with an 8pm UK time kick-off in New Jersey, USA. Before the final, a third-place play-off will be held on Saturday, July 18, at 10pm UK time in Miami, USA, featuring the losers of the two semi-final matches.

Several players are expected to be key in the upcoming semi-finals. For the France versus Spain encounter, Kylian Mbappe is considered a decisive player, particularly given his ability to attack defenses with pace. Marc Cucurella of Spain will likely have the primary assignment of marking Mbappe on the left flank, a critical defensive task given Spain has only conceded once in the tournament.

In the England versus Argentina match, Jude Bellingham is anticipated to be a central figure for England, continuing his strong form with two goals in consecutive games. His ability to be a force in midfield and contribute to the attack against Argentina‘s defense could be crucial for England’s chances. Lionel Messi and Harry Kane are also in contention for the Golden Boot, highlighting their importance to their respective teams.

The four remaining teams are considered to be the strongest in the tournament, with all of them featuring world-class talent and significant squad depth. The final will be played at MetLife Stadium.

The semi-final matches will determine which two teams will compete for the championship title on July 19.

Source: skysports.com