Journey to the Semi-Finals
The Quarter-Finals are done, and just four teams remain. Jude Bellingham broke Norwegian hearts in stoppage time, Mikel Merino struck late for the second round running, Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé ended Morocco's run in six second-half minutes, and Argentina outlasted ten-man Switzerland deep into extra time. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is down to its final four — and every one of them is a heavyweight.
Below, we review all four Semi-Finalists: their knockout-stage journey, tactical identity, and what to expect from their Semi-Final clash. Click any team for the full in-depth article.
Semi-Final Matchups
France
Spain
For an hour, Morocco did to France what they had done to everyone. Then Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé scored inside six minutes — a 2–0 win that keeps Les Bleus unbeaten, without a knockout goal conceded, and one step from a third consecutive final.
Full analysis →Mikel Merino won the Portugal tie in stoppage time. Against Belgium he did it again — an 88th-minute winner sealing a 2–1 victory, keeping Spain unbeaten through the knockout rounds and setting up the tie of the tournament against France.
Full analysis →
England
Argentina
Erling Haaland was kept quiet, yet Norway still led at the break. Then Jude Bellingham took over — an equaliser in first-half stoppage time and a 90th-plus-third-minute header sealing a 2–1 comeback and a Semi-Final against the defending champions.
Full analysis →For once, Argentina scored first. They still needed all 120 minutes — Julián Álvarez and Lisandro Martínez finally seeing off ten-man Switzerland 3–1 in extra time to set up a Semi-Final against England.
Full analysis →