The 2026 FIFA World Cup has its four semi-finalists, and for the first time in the tournament's history they happen to be FIFA's top four ranked nations going in. France, Spain, England and defending champions Argentina all came through their quarter-final ties between 9 and 11 July, setting up two blockbuster last-four clashes that will be played in Texas and Georgia later this week.
France and Spain set up European heavyweight clash
France were the first team into the semi-finals, beating Morocco 2-0 in Boston on Thursday evening. Kylian Mbappé — who had a first-half penalty saved by Yassine Bounou — made amends with a curling finish into the far corner in the 60th minute, his eighth goal of the tournament and his 20th in World Cup history. Ousmane Dembélé added a fifth goal of his own campaign six minutes later, latching onto a Mbappé pass to put the game beyond reach. According to ESPN, France held a 22-4 advantage in total shots and 8-1 in shots on target, underlining a performance of complete dominance. It was a repeat of their 2022 semi-final result against the same opponents, with Morocco's Atlas Lions again departing with immense credit but no way through.
Morocco's elimination ends the African continent's involvement in the tournament. Despite the result, ESPN notes that Morocco beat the Netherlands on penalties en route to the last eight and will co-host the next World Cup in 2030 alongside Spain and Portugal.
“"It will be a clash of giants." — Luis de la Fuente, Spain head coach, after his side booked a semi-final against France”
Spain's path to that semi-final was rather more nerve-shredding. Playing Belgium in Los Angeles on Friday, La Roja took the lead through Fabián Ruiz in the 30th minute, who slammed home a rebound after Thibaut Courtois parried a Dani Olmo shot. Belgium hit back 11 minutes later when Charles De Ketelaere muscled past Pau Cubarsí and headed home a Timothy Castagne cross — ending a remarkable run of 650 consecutive minutes without conceding for Spain, according to ABC News. The Red Devils were badly handicapped by events: captain Youri Tielemans was injured during warmups and Courtois himself was forced off in the second half. Substitute Mikel Merino, on the pitch for just two minutes, pounced on a spilled rebound by replacement goalkeeper Senne Lammens in the 88th minute to send Spain through 2-1.
Bellingham the hero as England end Norway's dream run
Saturday produced two further thrillers. In Miami, England edged Norway 2-1 after extra time in what Yahoo Sports called one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament. Andreas Schjelderup opened the scoring in the 36th minute with a looping effort that dropped in off the post, but Jude Bellingham levelled in first-half stoppage time, cutting inside and placing the ball into the bottom corner after a pass from Anthony Gordon. A disallowed goal for Norway — VAR overturning a Torbjorn Heggem finish because of a push by Erling Haaland on Elliot Anderson — proved decisive. Bellingham then reacted fastest to turn in a Morgan Rogers rebound in the third minute of extra time, giving England a 2-1 win and a semi-final against Argentina.
Norway, appearing in their first ever World Cup quarter-final, left Miami with heads held high. Haaland, who scored seven goals in four tournament appearances, was substituted at half-time in extra time. According to England Football, Jordan Pickford overtook Peter Shilton in Miami to become England's all-time leading appearance maker at a World Cup. Bellingham's brace brought his tournament tally to six goals.
Argentina grind past ten-man Switzerland in Kansas City
“"The greatest day in Norwegian football history" — Stale Solbakken, Norway head coach, after beating Brazil in the round of 16”
In the evening game in Kansas City, Argentina required extra time to see off Switzerland 3-1. Alexis Mac Allister put the holders ahead in the 10th minute, but Dan Ndoye equalised for Switzerland in the 67th. The complexion of the match shifted when Breel Embolo was sent off for a second bookable offence shortly afterwards, leaving the Swiss a man down. Switzerland held firm through the first period of extra time, but Julián Álvarez broke their resistance with a long-range strike in the 112th minute and Lautaro Martínez added a third in injury time of extra time. According to ESPN, it ends Switzerland's most successful World Cup campaign since 1954. Argentina now face England in Atlanta on Wednesday — their sixth straight World Cup semi-final, and a fixture that needs little introduction given two of the sport's most storied international rivalries.
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