The FIFA World Cup 2026 Semifinals will mark the moment the tournament truly narrows to the elite, as 4 survivors from a record 48 teams battle for a place in the finals.
The semifinals will take place at two world-class stadiums: AT&T Stadium in Arlington and Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
This phase features do-or-die knockout matches, where teams must win to advance. Expect high-pressure soccer, including the potential for extra time and penalties, making this one of the most intense parts of the entire competition.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Semifinals Schedule: Overview
Each FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinal match will be played between the winners of the pre-assigned Quarterfinals matchups. The specific teams won’t be determined until after all the Quarterfinals matches are complete, but the bracket’s pathway is established.
As the knockout stage of the Quarterfinal matches concludes, one prominent football nation — France — has officially secured its position in the final four.
Semifinals Format at World Cup 2026
The 2026 FIFA World Cup Semifinals follow a straight single-elimination knockout format featuring the final four remaining teams
- 48 teams, 12 groups of 4 (A–L).
- Top 2 in each group (24 teams) + 8 best third‑placed teams = 32 teams in the first knockout round.
- In the knockout stage, teams follow the Round of 32, Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, third-place match, and final.
- After the semifinals, there’s the third‑place match and then the final.
- The Semifinals therefore feature 2 matches, all one‑off knockouts, with extra time and penalties if needed.
Semifinals – Dates
The FIFA World Cup 2026 Semifinals are set for July 14-15, 2026, at two venues in the United States.
- Round of 32: June 28 – July 3, 2026 | 32 Teams and 16 Matches
- Round of 16: July 4 – July 7, 2026 | 16 Teams and 8 Matches
- Quarter-finals: July 9 – July 11, 2026 | 8 Teams and 4 Matches
- Semi-finals: July 14 – July 15, 2026 | | 4 Teams and 2 Matches
- Third Place Match: July 18, 2026 | Loser of the Semifinals
- Final: July 19, 2026 | MetLife Stadium.
As the quarter-final matches wrap up, two prominent football nations.
Semifinals – Venues
Here are the two venues for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Semifinals:
- AT&T Stadium (Dallas Stadium) – Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA
- Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta Stadium) – Atlanta Stadium
Qualified Teams for the Semifinals
| S No | Winner Teams | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | France | July 9 |
| 2 | Spain / Belgium | July 10 |
| 3 | England / Norway | July 11 |
| 4 | Argentina / Switzerland | July 11 |
FIFA World Cup 2026 Semifinals Schedule
| Date | Match | Matchup | Score | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, 14 July 14:00 UTC−5 | Match 101 | France vs Winner Match 98 | AT&T Stadium, Arlington | |
| Wed, 15 July 15:00 UTC−4 | Match 102 | Winner Match 99 vs Winner Match 100 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta |
