2026 FIFA World Cup Semifinals: Schedule, Teams, and Road to the Final
Out of the initial 48 teams competing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, only France, Spain, England, and defending champions Argentina remain. The quarterfinals saw France defeat Morocco, Spain narrowly beat Belgium, England overcome Norway, and Argentina win against Switzerland. Now, each side is just two victories away from winning the tournament.
Semifinal Matchups and Schedule
- Tuesday, July 14: France vs. Spain, 3 p.m. ET – AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
- Wednesday, July 15: England vs. Argentina, 3 p.m. ET – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
- Saturday, July 18: Third-place match (semifinal losers), 5 p.m. ET – Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens
- Sunday, July 19: Final (semifinal winners), 3 p.m. ET – MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
Round of 16 Highlights
In earlier knockout rounds, standout matches included Morocco's 3-0 victory over Canada and England edging Mexico 3-2. Spain managed a tight 1-0 win against Portugal, while Argentina narrowly defeated Egypt 3-2. Penalty shootouts also played a role, with Switzerland advancing past Colombia after a 0-0 draw resolved 4-3 on penalties.
Group Stage Summary
The group stage produced some surprises and solid performances. Mexico topped Group A with a flawless record, while South Africa also advanced. Switzerland, Canada, and Bosnia and Herzegovina moved forward from Group B. Brazil and Morocco secured qualification from Group C.
USA, Australia, and Paraguay progressed from Group D, while Germany, Ivory Coast, and Ecuador qualified from Group E. The Netherlands, Japan, and Sweden made it through from Group F, with Belgium and Egypt advancing from Group G.
Spain and Cape Verde moved on from Group H. In Group I, France, Norway, and Senegal qualified. Argentina, Austria, and Algeria advanced from Group J. From Group K, Colombia, Portugal, and DR Congo progressed. Lastly, Group L saw England, Croatia, and Ghana qualify.
Upcoming Knockout Stage Encounters
The Round of 32 and Round of 16 offered thrilling matches that set the stage for this intense semifinal phase. The path to the final remains open for these four teams, each carrying hopes of lifting the trophy again or for the first time.
