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World Cup semifinals bracket set as England, Argentina complete final four

England's forward #09 Harry Kane, midfielder #10 Jude Bellingham and England's midfielder #17 Morgan Rogers celebrate after winning the 2026 World Cup football tournament quarter-final match between Norway and England at Miami Stadium in Miami Gardens, July 11, 2026. (AFP Photo)
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England's forward #09 Harry Kane, midfielder #10 Jude Bellingham and England's midfielder #17 Morgan Rogers celebrate after winning the 2026 World Cup football tournament quarter-final match between Norway and England at Miami Stadium in Miami Gardens, July 11, 2026. (AFP Photo)
July 12, 2026 08:58 AM GMT+03:00

The 2026 FIFA World Cup semifinal lineup is complete after England and Argentina battled through extra-time victories on Saturday to join France and Spain in the tournament's final four.

The last two quarterfinals wrapped up the knockout bracket, with both semifinal matches set to take place in the United States next week.

France and Spain will open the semifinals on Tuesday, July 14, at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, before England face defending champion Argentina a day later at Atlanta Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Both matches are scheduled to kick off at 10 p.m. Türkiye time (7 p.m. GMT).

Chart shows the 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout bracket following the completion of quarterfinals. (Screenshot via FIFA.com)
Chart shows the 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout bracket following the completion of quarterfinals. (Screenshot via FIFA.com)

The winners will advance to the World Cup final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, while the defeated semifinalists will meet in the third-place playoff on July 18.

France, Spain renew European rivalry

France booked its place in the semifinals after a 2-0 victory over Morocco in the quarterfinals, extending its run without conceding a goal in the knockout stage.

Didier Deschamps' side opened the knockout rounds with a 3-0 win over Sweden before edging Paraguay 1-0 in the Round of 16. France then overcame Morocco with another disciplined defensive display to move within one win of the final.

Spain arrives after eliminating Belgium 2-1 in the quarterfinals. Luis de la Fuente's team began its knockout campaign with a commanding 3-0 victory over Austria before beating Portugal 1-0 in an all-Iberian Round of 16 matchup.

The first semifinal brings together two of Europe's most successful national teams, with both sides aiming to return to the World Cup final after navigating unbeaten paths through the knockout stage.

Kylian Mbappe (10) of France celebrates the victory and greets the supporters after the 2026 FIFA World Cup Quarter Final match between France and Morocco at Boston Stadium (Gillette Stadium) in Foxborough, Massachusetts, United States, July 9, 2026. (AA Photo)
Kylian Mbappe (10) of France celebrates the victory and greets the supporters after the 2026 FIFA World Cup Quarter Final match between France and Morocco at Boston Stadium (Gillette Stadium) in Foxborough, Massachusetts, United States, July 9, 2026. (AA Photo)

England, Argentina set for heavyweight clash

England reached the semifinals after defeating Norway 2-1 following extra time in one of the tournament's most dramatic quarterfinals.

Jude Bellingham canceled out Andreas Schjelderup's first-half opener with a stoppage-time equalizer before scoring again moments into extra time to send the Three Lions through. Norway came close to regaining the lead during the second half, but saw a goal ruled out following a VAR review and later struck the crossbar.

Thomas Tuchel's side had already beaten DR Congo 2-1 in the Round of 32 before edging Mexico 3-2 in the Round of 16.

Argentina also needed extra time to reach the last four, defeating Switzerland 3-1 after regulation ended 1-1.

Alexis Mac Allister gave Argentina an early lead before Dan Ndoye equalized for Switzerland in the second half. Julian Alvarez restored Argentina's advantage in the 112th minute after Lionel Messi's shot was saved, and Lautaro Martinez added a third in stoppage time to seal the defending champions' place in the semifinals.

Argentina opened the knockout stage with a 3-2 victory over Cape Verde before defeating Egypt by the same scoreline in the Round of 16.

July 12, 2026 08:58 AM GMT+03:00
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