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[SPORTS] · United States, France, Spain, United Kingdom, Argentina · 100 sources

World Cup 2026 semi-finals: France‑Spain and England‑Argentina set to clash

Four teams that have all won a World Cup and occupy the top four spots in the FIFA rankings have reached the semi‑finals of the 2026 tournament – a first in the competition’s history. France will meet Spain at AT&T Stadium in Dallas on 14 July, while England takes on defending champions Argentina at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium in Atlanta on 15 July.

The quarter‑final winners arrived after dramatic extra‑time victories: France defeated Morocco 2‑0, Spain beat Belgium 2‑1, England rescued a 2‑1 win over Norway thanks to a Jude Bellingham brace, and Argentina overcame Switzerland 3‑1 after extra time, with Lautaro Martínez scoring the decisive goal. Lionel Messi will face England for the first time in his senior career, a meeting the Argentine captain described as “the match fate owed Messi.”

The pairings also revive a historic rivalry that spans decades of political and footballing conflict, from the 1966 World Cup quarter‑final to the 1982 Falklands War. This semi‑final line‑up is the first time the four semifinalists have all been past champions, echoing similar feats in 1970 and 1990. The matches are slated to be broadcast globally and will decide the finalists for the first World Cup staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Sources

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El Mundial retrasa el estreno de LaLiga [www.noticiasdenavarra.com]
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Diário do Mundial 13-07-2026 [radiocampomaior.com]
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