The 2026 FIFA World Cup is down to four teams, with Spain set to face France before defending champions Argentina take on England in two heavyweight semi-final clashes.
The four highest-ranked teams remaining in the tournament survived a dramatic quarter-final stage to keep their title ambitions alive. Spain, ranked second in the world, will meet third-ranked France, while top-ranked Argentina face fourth-placed England.
England secured their place in the last four after defeating Norway 2-1 following extra time in Miami.
Norway, who had eliminated five-time champions Brazil in the previous round, threatened another major upset when Andreas Schjelderup opened the scoring.
However, Jude Bellingham restored parity on the brink of half-time before returning to score the winner in extra time. His decisive contribution booked England a semi-final showdown with Lionel Messi’s Argentina.
The victory keeps alive England’s hopes of ending their long wait for another World Cup title. Thomas Tuchel’s side have already overcome co-hosts Mexico and Norway in the knockout rounds, but Argentina will present their toughest test yet.
Argentina advanced after a dramatic 3-1 extra-time victory over Switzerland in sweltering conditions in Kansas City.
The contest remained tightly balanced before Julian Alvarez produced the defining moment, curling an unstoppable 25-yard strike past Switzerland goalkeeper Gregor Kobel in extra time.
Alvarez’s spectacular finish finally broke Swiss resistance and ensured Argentina remained on course to defend the trophy they won in Qatar in 2022.
The result sets up another chapter in the historic World Cup rivalry between Argentina and England, whose previous encounters have produced some of the competition’s most memorable and controversial moments.
In the other half of the draw, France ended Morocco’s impressive campaign with a controlled 2-0 victory.
The North African side had entered the quarter-final hoping to repeat their historic run to the semi-finals in 2022, but France’s quality and experience proved decisive.
Spain completed the semi-final line-up by edging Belgium 2-1 in Los Angeles. La Roja were forced to work for the victory against a determined Belgian side but did enough to remain in contention for a second World Cup crown.
The semi-finals now promise contrasting tactical battles, elite individual quality and little margin for error as the tournament moves closer to crowning its 2026 champion.
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