The 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-finals take place on July 14 and 15 at AT&T Stadium in Dallas and MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. With 48 teams beginning the journey on June 11, predicting the final four is football's greatest guessing game. Here are our complete semi-final predictions — and the reasoning behind every call.

Semi-Final 1: Spain vs Argentina

Our predicted first semi-final pits tournament favourites Spain against defending champions Argentina — a clash between the two most complete squads in the field. Spain's superior midfield depth and Lamine Yamal's pace and directness would test Argentina's defensive organisation to its absolute limits. Argentina's experience of winning from difficult positions — demonstrated throughout their 2022 campaign — makes them dangerous even against the odds. We predict Spain to edge it 2-1 after extra time, with Rodri's controlling performance the difference.

Semi-Final 2: France vs England

Our predicted second semi-final delivers the clash every football neutral has been hoping for — Mbappé's France against Tuchel's England. The tactical battle between Deschamps and Tuchel — two coaches who know each other intimately from years of competing in European club football — would be as compelling as any individual duel on the pitch. Mbappé's pace against England's right-back channel is the key tactical question. We predict France to win 2-0, with Mbappé scoring both goals in another masterclass performance.

The Teams That Could Crash the Party

Germany, Brazil, Portugal, and the Netherlands all have the quality to reach the semi-finals and displace any of our four predicted teams. Germany's young squad — Wirtz and Musiala at their peak — could produce the most unexpected run of the tournament. Brazil, once Neymar returns from injury, are frighteningly dangerous with Vinicius Jr. leading the attack. Portugal — with Ronaldo's farewell energy driving the squad — could reach the final four in what would be one of the most emotional storylines in World Cup history.

The Dark Horse Semi-Finalist

Every World Cup produces one semi-finalist nobody predicted. In 2022 it was Morocco. In 2018 it was Croatia. In 2026, our dark horse pick for an unexpected semi-final run is Norway — if Haaland fires in the group stage and the bracket opens up, a Norway semi-final featuring the world's most prolific striker against one of the tournament's top seeds is entirely within the realm of possibility. At +3300 in the tournament odds, the risk-reward for Norway believers is extraordinary.

Dates, Venues & Broadcast Information

Semi-Final 1: July 14, 2026 — AT&T Stadium, Dallas, Texas. Kick-off: 8pm ET. Broadcast: FOX / Telemundo. Semi-Final 2: July 15, 2026 — MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey. Kick-off: 8pm ET. Broadcast: FOX / Telemundo. Both matches will also stream on the FOX Sports app, Fubo TV, and Peacock (Spanish language). The winners meet in the Grand Final at MetLife Stadium on July 19.