​The four semifinalists for the 2026 World Cup have all previously lifted soccer’s ultimate prize, and the upcoming matchups promise to deliver. France will lock horns with Spain at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Tuesday, July 14, while England meets Argentina in Atlanta the following day. The victors will advance to the final, which is set for Sunday, July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
France has twice hoisted the trophy, winning in 1998 and again in 2018. That latter triumph featured Kylian Mbappé, who capped off a historic World Cup run and helped establish him as one of the game’s defining stars. Les Bleus will need to manage Spain’s attacking firepower, particularly with young Lamine Yamal causing problems for opposing defenses. France’s defensive unit has been stingy so far, having conceded only one goal across six matches, but Spain’s form and tactical flexibility will test them.
On the other side of the bracket, Lionel Messi and defending champions Argentina will face England in a matchup that evokes memories of the famous 1986 “Hand of God” moment. Argentina has claimed the World Cup title three times, while England’s sole championship came in 1966 on home soil. This semifinal pairing pits a seasoned, title-winning side against a national team seeking to add a second star to its crest.
Here are USA TODAY Sports’ predicted outcomes for the 2026 World Cup semifinals. In Arlington on Tuesday, July 14, Jon Arnold projects France to prevail 3-2 over Spain, while Seth Vertelney envisions a 3-1 France win. Jesse Yomtov has France taking the contest 1-0, Victoria Hernandez foresees a 2-0 French victory, and Nancy Armour predicts a 2-1 France win. Turning to the Atlanta semifinal on Wednesday, July 15, Jon Arnold sees Argentina edging England 2-1, Seth Vertelney expects a 2-0 victory for England, Jesse Yomtov forecasts a 3-2 win for England, Victoria Hernandez anticipates a 2-1 result for England, and Nancy Armour suggests Argentina wins in extra time, 1-0.
The tournament’s final, scheduled for Sunday, July 19, will be hosted at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. This preview originally appeared in USA TODAY, with bracket predictions for the 2026 World Cup highlighting Argentina against England and Spain against France as the semifinals, aimed at guiding fans through the anticipated routes to the title.