​For the first time in World Cup history, the four teams ranked at the top of the FIFA standings—France, Spain, Argentina, and England—have all reached the semifinals, avoiding the upsets that scattered the early rounds of the tournament. Each of these programs navigated different paths to this stage: Spain began the campaign with a tentative start, England encountered difficulties during the middle phase of the group stage, Argentina narrowly escaped a perilous round of 16 test, and France has largely rolled through the event. Now, all four are two victories away from lifting the trophy.
As the semifinals approach, France is positioned as a slight favorite, while the defending champions Argentina hold the longest odds among the four. The schedule for the upcoming rounds is set as follows: on Tuesday, July 14, the first semifinal pits France against Spain at 1 p.m. Mountain Time / 2 p.m. Central Time at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, broadcast on FOX and Telemundo. On Wednesday, July 15, England faces Argentina at 1 p.m. MT / 2 p.m. CT at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, with the game airing on FOX and Telemundo. The losers of the semifinals will compete in the third-place match on Saturday, July 18 at 3 p.m. MT / 4 p.m. CT at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, broadcast on FOX and Telemundo. The championship game will then take place on Sunday, July 19 at 1 p.m. MT / 2 p.m. CT at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with FOX and Telemundo carrying the broadcast.
In lineup order, the four survivors are France, Spain, England, and Argentina. The betting market currently lists France at +140, Spain and England each at +333, and Argentina at +450, according to BetMGM.com. The tournament’s arc has threaded a narrative of resilience and prowess among these teams, culminating in a quartet of heavy hitters ready to contend for the title.
For further context and updates, Bret Bloomquist can be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com or followed on X/Twitter at @Bretbloomquist. This report originates from the El Paso Times and highlights the World Cup semifinals, the final four teams, the remaining schedule, and the odds as the event advances toward the knockout stage outcomes.
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