2026 FIFA World Cup Semifinal Bracket: Updated Schedule and Results

The 2026 World Cup is now at its climax, with only four teams left competing for the trophy. The tournament, which started in June with 48 teams across North America, has seen intense matches leading to this point where the best squads battle to claim the championship.

The semifinal round promises high drama as some of the world’s top players take the field. These matches bring teams closer to the ultimate prize.

Semifinal Schedule

• France: Winner of Group I, defeated Sweden (Round of 32), Paraguay (Round of 16), and Morocco (Quarterfinals).
• Spain: Top of Group H, overcame Austria, Portugal, and Belgium in knockout rounds.
• England: Led Group L, eliminated DR Congo, Mexico, and Norway.
• Argentina: Winner of Group J, beat Cape Verde, Egypt, and Switzerland.

Quarterfinal Results

With just four teams left, the semifinals consist of two matches. Winners move on to the final on July 19, while the losing sides will contest the third-place match on July 18.

This edition of the World Cup has been longer and more demanding than previous ones because of the expanded 48-team format. Each remaining team has played three group matches and three knockout games, proving their strength.

Tie-Breaking Procedures in Knockout Matches

If a match is level after 90 minutes, it goes into extra time — two 15-minute halves plus stoppage time. There’s no sudden-death rule, so the full 30 minutes must be played. If the score remains tied, the game is decided by a penalty shootout.

In the shootout, each team picks five players. The side scoring the most goals after these attempts wins. If still tied, sudden-death rounds continue until one team outscores the other.

Path to the Semifinals

The tournament began with 48 teams divided into 12 groups of four. Each team played three group-stage matches. The top two from every group advanced, along with the eight best third-place finishers, creating a Round of 32.

The knockout phase is single elimination: lose a match, and you’re out. To win the World Cup, a team must prevail in five consecutive knockout games following the group stage.