FIFA World Cup 2026: Semi-finals Schedule & Fixtures

The FIFA World Cup 2026 has reached its most dramatic stage. After a month of football across the United States, Mexico and Canada — and a record 104 matches involving 48 nations — only four teams remain standing. France, Spain, England and defending champions Argentina have battled through the group stage, a brand-new Round of 32, the Round of 16 and the quarter-finals to reach the last four.

Remarkably, this is the first time in World Cup history that the four highest-ranked teams on the planet have all made the semi-finals — a fitting climax to the biggest World Cup ever staged. In this guide, you’ll find the complete semi-finals schedule, confirmed fixtures, kick-off times across major time zones, stadium details, broadcast information, team form, key players to watch, and expert predictions for the road to the final at MetLife Stadium on 19 July.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi-Finals

The winners advance to the World Cup Final on Sunday, 19 July 2026 at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey (3:00 PM ET). The losing semi-finalists will contest the third-place play-off on Saturday, 18 July at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens (5:00 PM ET).

Semi-Final 1: France vs Spain — Tuesday, 14 July 2026

Venue: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas (Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex) Kick-off: 2:00 PM local (CT) / 3:00 PM ET / 8:00 PM BST / 9:00 PM CEST

This is the heavyweight clash of the tournament — a meeting between the world’s two top-ranked sides and, according to most models, the two favourites to lift the trophy. It is effectively a final played five days early.

How France got here

Didier Deschamps’ side have been ruthlessly efficient throughout the tournament. Kylian Mbappé has been in devastating scoring form, while Ousmane Dembélé — fresh off a group-stage hat-trick in a statement win over Erling Haaland’s Norway — and Michael Olise have given Les Bleus arguably the most frightening attacking depth in the competition. In the knockout rounds, France edged Paraguay 1-0 thanks to an Mbappé penalty, then dispatched Morocco 2-0 in the quarter-finals — a repeat of their 2022 semi-final, with the same outcome for the Atlas Lions.

How Spain got here

Luis de la Fuente’s European champions have combined control with late-game resilience. Spain topped their group with a win over Uruguay, eliminated Portugal in the Round of 16 with a late Mikel Merino winner, and then broke Belgian hearts in the quarter-finals. In that 2-1 victory, substitute Merino struck again after a costly slip from Belgium’s replacement goalkeeper Senne Lammens. With teenage superstar Lamine Yamal back to his brilliant best, Spain finally look like the complete World Cup contender many predicted before the tournament.

Key battle to watch

Lamine Yamal vs Kylian Mbappé. The game’s present against its future — or perhaps two versions of its present. Yamal’s ability to unlock deep defences from the right flank will be tested against France’s disciplined block, while Mbappé’s pace in transition is precisely the weapon that has historically troubled Spain’s high defensive line.

Prediction context

Stats provider Opta’s supercomputer currently rates France as tournament favourites, giving Les Bleus roughly a 58% chance of reaching the final and about a 34% chance of winning the whole thing. Spain sit second in the model at around 23%. In other words: this semi-final is, statistically, the true final.

Semi-Final 2: England vs Argentina — Wednesday, 15 July 2026

Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia Kick-off: 3:00 PM ET / 8:00 PM BST / 4:00 PM local (Atlanta)

Few fixtures in world football carry the historical weight of England vs Argentina at a World Cup. From the “Hand of God” in 1986 to Beckham’s red card in 1998 and his redemption penalty in 2002, this rivalry has produced some of the tournament’s most iconic moments. Now the two nations meet again — with a place in the World Cup final at stake for the first time.

How England got here

England have made a habit of winning ugly — and winning late. Thomas Tuchel’s men survived a five-goal thriller against host nation Mexico in the Round of 16, winning 3-2 in a hostile Mexico City atmosphere, before grinding out a 2-1 quarter-final victory over tournament sensations Norway in Miami, ending Erling Haaland’s Golden Boot charge. Jude Bellingham has drawn widespread praise — including from pundit Gary Neville — for reaching new levels of influence in this England midfield, while captain Harry Kane remains the focal point of the attack.

How Argentina got here

Lionel Messi simply refuses to let go of the trophy. The 39-year-old captain has scored eight goals in six matches at this World Cup as Argentina chase back-to-back titles. La Albiceleste produced an epic comeback against Mohamed Salah’s Egypt in the Round of 16 — complete with VAR drama — before beating Switzerland 3-1 after extra time in the quarter-finals. Alexis Mac Allister opened the scoring early in Kansas City, and after Dan Ndoye equalised, Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez struck in extra time to send the champions through.

Key battle to watch

Jude Bellingham vs Alexis Mac Allister. The midfield duel will likely decide this one. Bellingham’s late runs into the box against a deep Argentine block, versus Mac Allister’s tempo-setting and pressing triggers for the world champions. And, of course, everything Messi touches becomes an event in itself.

Prediction context

Opta’s model makes England third favourites for the trophy, with Argentina fourth — but models have never accounted well for Lionel Messi in knockout football. Argentina’s extra-time win over Switzerland means one day’s less recovery and 30 additional minutes in the legs, which could matter in Atlanta’s climate-controlled but high-intensity environment.

World Cup 2026 Knockout Results: The Road to the Semi-Finals

Quarter-final results

Notable earlier knockout results

• England 3-2 Mexico (Round of 16) — the Three Lions eliminated the co-hosts in Mexico City.
• Spain 2-1 Portugal (Round of 16) — Merino’s late winner ended Cristiano Ronaldo’s final World Cup.
• Belgium 4-1 USA (Round of 16) — the last host nation exited, after Mexico and Canada also fell.
• Norway 2-1 Brazil (Round of 16) — a historic first quarter-final for Norway, powered by Haaland.
• Argentina vs Egypt (Round of 16) — a dramatic comeback win with VAR controversy, keeping the title defence alive.

Remaining FIFA World Cup 2026 Schedule

Kick-off times by region (semi-finals)

Always confirm local listings, as broadcasters occasionally adjust schedules.

How to Watch the World Cup 2026 Semi-Finals

• United States: Every match is broadcast in English on FOX and FS1, with all 104 games streaming on Fox One and the FOX Sports app. Spanish-language coverage is on Telemundo.
• United Kingdom: France vs Spain airs live on ITV1, while England vs Argentina is on BBC One — both free-to-air.
• Global: FIFA’s official broadcast partners carry the matches in virtually every territory; check FIFA.com for your local rights holder.

Players to Watch in the Semi-Finals

1. Lionel Messi (Argentina) — Eight goals in six matches at age 39. Two wins from a fairy-tale second consecutive title.
2. Kylian Mbappé (France) — In sensational scoring form and chasing the one head-to-head he’s rarely faced at a World Cup: prime Spain.
3. Lamine Yamal (Spain) — The tournament’s box-office teenager, back to his best after inspiring Spain’s quarter-final win.
4. Jude Bellingham (England) — Hitting what pundits are calling unprecedented levels in an England shirt.
5. Ousmane Dembélé & Michael Olise (France) — The supporting cast that makes France’s attack the deepest in the tournament.
6. Harry Kane (England) — England’s captain and talisman, still hunting the international trophy his career deserves.
7. Julián Álvarez & Lautaro Martínez (Argentina) — The extra-time heroes of Kansas City, giving Argentina genuine depth beyond Messi.

FAQs

When are the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finals?

The semi-finals take place on Tuesday, 14 July 2026 (France vs Spain) and Wednesday, 15 July 2026 (England vs Argentina), both kicking off at 3:00 PM ET / 8:00 PM BST.

Where are the World Cup 2026 semi-finals being played?

France vs Spain is at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. England vs Argentina is at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.

When and where is the World Cup 2026 final?

The final is on Sunday, 19 July 2026 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, kicking off at 3:00 PM ET.

Who is favourite to win the World Cup 2026?

Opta’s supercomputer rates France as favourites (around a 34% chance of lifting the trophy), followed by Spain (~23%), then England and Argentina.

Have the top four ranked teams ever all reached the semi-finals before?

No — this is the first time in World Cup history that the four highest-ranked nations in the world have filled all four semi-final spots.

Is there a third-place match?

Yes. The two losing semi-finalists meet on Saturday, 18 July at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens (5:00 PM ET).

How many goals has Messi scored at the 2026 World Cup?

Lionel Messi has scored eight goals in six matches heading into the semi-final against England.

Final Word

Whichever way these two fixtures fall, the 2026 World Cup is guaranteed a blockbuster finale. France vs Spain pits the tournament’s two statistical favourites against each other in Texas, while England vs Argentina revives one of international football’s fiercest rivalries with a final berth on the line for the first time.

Will Mbappé drag France to a third star? Can Spain add a World Cup to their European crown? Is this finally England’s year under Tuchel? Or does Lionel Messi have one last miracle left in the tank? By Sunday evening in New Jersey, we’ll have our answer.

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Maurya

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