Every Possible Semifinal Match at the 2026 World Cup

France became the first team to book its spot in the final four of this enthralling tournament.

France were in jubilant mood for good reason. | Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated

The World Cup semifinals are where legends are written, heroes forged and villains cast.

All too often the showpiece fixture of the tournament can be a let down—which is what made the dizzying ding-dong between Argentina and France so surprising four years ago. The 2010 final between Spain and the Netherlands is more indicative of the nervy sort of affair which can often take hold.

After finding himself on the end a grim 1–0 loss, Dutch midfielder Mark van Bommel shrugged: “It wasn’t a nice game of pretty football. But which final is?”

The semifinals, however, have often given way to some beautiful stuff. Germany’s extra time epic against Italy in 2006; the six-goal thriller in 1982 defined by Patrick Battiston’s brutal injury for France; the match in 1970 which West Germany lost to Italy that was so good it was christened the ‘Game of the Century.’

Only time will tell if this summer’s lineup can produce a contest to rival the long list of legendary predecessors. Given the teams on display, there’s a decent chance.

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Confirmed Semifinal Match at the 2026 World Cup

France vs. Spain

Mike Maignan doesn’t have much to do in France’s goal. | Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated

• Location: Dallas, United States
• Stadium: AT&T Stadium
• Date: Tuesday, July 14
• Kickoff Time: 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT / 8 p.m BST

France was the first team to punch its ticket to the semifinals, cruising to a cool win over Morocco in the searing heat of Boston. The Atlas Lions were hampered by the absence of top scorer Ismael Saibari through injury and Mohamed Ouahbi took an unorthodox approach to replacing his center forward: don’t bother. Morocco’s fluid striker-less frontline didn’t lay a glove on Les Bleus. Mike Maignan’s first and only save of the game didn’t come until the 83rd minute.

Lying in wait for France is Spain, who commanded Belgium through 90 minutes and secured a 2–1 victory with a late toe-poke from super sub Mikel Merino. The French will prove much more resilient and a lot less injury-ridden than the Belgians, though. Nevertheless, recent history serves Spain well. The two European giants faced off in the semifinals of Euro 2024 and the 2025 Nations League, with La Roja—and Lamine Yamal, in particular, coming out on top on each occasion.

Barcelona’s prodigy remains confident about the upcoming matchup. “France is not better than Spain,” he insisted last month, "they haven’t beaten us since the Euros, they can’t be better.” That will be put to the test.

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Compete against the world. | Sports Illustrated

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Potential Semifinal Matches at the 2026 World Cup

England vs. Argentina

It took another gargantuan effort from England to advance to the semifinals. | Buda Mendes/Getty Images

• Location: Atlanta, United States
• Stadium: Mercedes-Benz Stadium
• Date: Wednesday, July 15
• Kickoff Time: 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT / 8 p.m BST

As the quarterfinals played out as expected, the second semifinal will provide the latest installment in the decades-long feud between England and Argentina.

The two historic rivals, on and off the soccer field, have met in five previous World Cups. The clashes have been invariably legendary. The ill-tempered quarterfinal at Wembley in 1966 set the tone for what would follow, with Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ and David Beckham’s red card all snapshots in a long highlight reel of remarkable moments.

More history will be written in Atlanta on Wednesday.

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