Recap the Quarter-Finals — Your Semi-Final Line-Up

The last eight is done, and the World Cup 2026 semi-finals are set: France, Spain, England and Argentina — the top four ranked sides on the planet, all past world champions, all in the final four together for the first time since FIFA rankings began. If you skipped the weekend or just want the results in one place before the semis kick off, this is your catch-up. Below are the four quarter-final recaps, the confirmed semi-final draw with NZST dates, and where the outright market has moved since.

Step 1 — Recap QF1: France 2–0 Morocco

France were first into the last four, seeing off Morocco 2–0 at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough on 9 July (ET). It kept the tournament’s most prolific attack rolling — France have now scored 16 goals in six wins and shipped barely one or two all the way through. That result was covered in full in our QF1 recap; here it simply confirms France as the side everyone else must catch.

Step 2 — Recap QF2: Spain 2–1 Belgium

Spain edged Belgium 2–1 at SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles on 10 July (ET) to reach the semis. The one goal they conceded — to De Ketelaere — was significant: it ended Spain’s tournament-long clean-sheet run of six straight, the longest in World Cup history. Even so, La Roja have conceded just once in the whole tournament and stretched their unbeaten run to a team-record 36 matches. That is the meanest defence left in the draw walking into a semi-final against the best attack.

Step 3 — Recap QF3: England 2–1 Norway (aet)

England needed extra time to see off Norway 2–1 at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami on 11 July (ET). Erling Haaland’s Norway pushed them all the way — the tie went the distance before England found the decisive goal. It was hard-earned rather than emphatic, but it puts England into the last four chasing a first World Cup final since 1966. The cost: Jarell Quansah sits out the semi, serving the final match of a two-match ban.

Step 4 — Recap QF4: Argentina 3–1 Switzerland (aet)

Argentina also went to extra time, beating Switzerland 3–1 at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City on 11 July (ET). The holders have now scored three in each of their last four matches and lead the tournament with 17 goals scored. Lionel Messi has scored or assisted in every knockout game and sits joint-top of the Golden Boot on eight, his 21 career World Cup goals an all-time record. The two extra-time wins in a row are the one caveat — those legs have covered a lot of ground.

Step 5 — Read the Confirmed Semi-Final Draw

Here is how the last four lines up, with NZST dates for your diary (kick-offs are 07:00 NZST, morning matches in New Zealand):

The winners meet in the final on 19 July at MetLife Stadium (07:00 NZST Mon 20 Jul); the losers contest the third-place play-off in Miami on 18 July.

Step 6 — Check the Updated Outright Board

France reaching the semis first and staying unbeaten keeps them the clear favourite. Behind them, the market has bunched:

(FanDuel via FOX / DraftKings via SI / Oddspedia, as of 2026-07-13 ~14:15 → 07-14 AM.) One honest caveat: the books disagree on who is second favourite. FanDuel ranks England (4.10) ahead of Spain (4.20); DraftKings has Spain (4.20) ahead of England (4.40). We have quoted ranges rather than pick a side of that split.

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Read Next

• Today’s semi-final in full: Predict France vs Spain
• The other last-four tie: Preview England vs Argentina
• Watch it in NZ: Watch the World Cup Semi-Finals in New Zealand
• The full winner market: Find Best World Cup Odds