Teams Advancing to the FIFA World Cup 2026 Semifinals

The 2026 World Cup expanded to 48 teams, but now only a handful remain with a chance to claim the trophy on July 19. From the original 48, the field narrowed to 32, then 16, and now just eight teams compete in the quarterfinals.

Some of the world's top squads, including recent champions, are still battling for glory. Here’s an update on the current bracket and the teams still alive in the tournament.

Quarterfinals Recap

Eight teams started the quarterfinal round. France opened with a 2-0 win over Morocco, securing their third straight semifinal appearance. Spain defeated Belgium 2-1 to claim the second semifinal spot. Later, England edged past Norway, while Argentina survived a close call against Switzerland to advance.

Semifinal Lineup

• France cruised past Sweden 3-0 in the Round of 32, then narrowly defeated Paraguay 1-0 thanks to a penalty by Kylian Mbappe. Their 2-0 victory over Morocco marked a fourth consecutive quarterfinal and third straight semifinal for Les Bleus.
• Spain has been stingy on defense, conceding only one goal so far. They knocked out Portugal 1-0, ending Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup run, and then beat Belgium 2-1 to reach the semifinals.
• England is back in the semifinals for the second time in three tournaments after tight wins over DR Congo, Mexico, and Norway.
• Argentina staged a dramatic comeback against Egypt, with Lionel Messi scoring a crucial equalizer. They then defeated Switzerland in the quarterfinals to set up their semifinal clash with England.