Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020

The World Cup semi-finals will feature France against Spain in Arlington, Texas, on Tuesday, July 14, before England meet Argentina in Atlanta on Wednesday, July 15. Four former champions remain, with each side now two victories from lifting the 2026 FIFA World Cup trophy.

Argentina, Spain, France and England entered the tournament as FIFA’s four highest-ranked teams. A France win and an Argentina victory would also produce a repeat of the 2022 final.

The quarter-final focus previously fell on the Erling Haaland versus Harry Kane striker showdown, before England eliminated Norway and ended Erling Haaland’s Golden Boot bid.

France and Spain meet two years after their UEFA European Championship semi-final, which Spain won 2-1. France have carried the greater attacking threat at this tournament, while Spain needed late goals from Mikel Merino to defeat Portugal and Belgium.

Kylian Mbappé enters the semi-final level with Lionel Messi on eight goals. Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham have scored six each, while Ousmane Dembélé has five.

England’s meeting with Argentina revives one of international football’s fiercest rivalries. Their World Cup history includes Diego Maradona’s famous 1986 quarter-final performance and David Beckham’s red card in 1998.

Lionel Messi, now 39, will face England for the first time. He has scored 21 World Cup goals, one more than Kylian Mbappé, and could move beyond Diego Maradona’s total of two tournament titles for Argentina by retaining the trophy.

The official FIFA World Cup knockout bracket lists the semi-final schedule and route to the July 19 final.