Teams Advancing to the 2026 FIFA World Cup Semifinals
The 2026 World Cup, expanded to include 48 teams, has now trimmed down to just a handful chasing the championship trophy scheduled for July 19. From an initial 48 teams, the competition quickly narrowed to 32, then 16, and now only eight remain as the quarterfinal stage unfolds.
Among the contenders, several top-tier nations, including recent champions, still hold hopes of claiming the title. Here’s an updated look at who remains in the race.
Quarterfinal Match Recap
The quarterfinals began with eight teams, but only four have moved on to the semifinals. France kicked off the round with a commanding 2-0 win over Morocco, securing their third consecutive semifinal appearance. Spain followed by eliminating Belgium 2-1 to book their place in the next round. England edged past Norway, while Argentina survived a tough challenge from Switzerland.
Semifinal Lineup
- France opened their campaign with a 3-0 win over Sweden, followed by a tight 1-0 victory against Paraguay thanks to a penalty from Kylian Mbappe. Their quarterfinal win over Morocco sent them into their fourth straight quarterfinal and third consecutive semifinal.
- Spain has been strong defensively, conceding only one goal so far. They advanced by defeating Portugal 1-0—ending Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup journey—and then outscored Belgium 2-1 to reach the semis.
- England is returning to the semifinals for the second time in three tournaments after narrow wins over DR Congo, Mexico, and Norway.
- Argentina battled back from a 2-0 deficit against Egypt, with Lionel Messi scoring a crucial equalizer late in the game. They overcame Switzerland in the quarters and will face England in the semifinals.
