The FIFA World Cup is in its final stages, with Spain having already qualified for the championship and England set to play Argentina for the remaining spot.
Spain qualified for the World Cup finals with a 2-0 win over France, while England and Argentina prepare for the semi-finals at Atlanta Stadium.
Here’s what you need to know:
What is the schedule for the second semi-final match?
What do we know about the finals?
Spain defeated France 2-0 in the first semifinal on Tuesday at AT&T Stadium to advance to the final. Spain’s defense once again proved to be the difference maker, recording their sixth clean sheet of the competition while keeping France off the scoreboard.
With this victory, Spain advanced to the World Cup finals for the first time since 2010.
Spain’s opponent in the final will be decided on Wednesday, July 15, the day Argentina and England meet in the second semi-final.
Although France did not reach the finals, their World Cup activities are not over yet. The team has one more game to play and will face the loser of the semi-final match between Argentina and England in the third place match.
The schedule for the finals is as follows.
Spain vs. England/Argentina Winner, Sunday, July 19th (19:00 Japan time) – MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ)
3rd place:
France vs. England/Argentina Loser, Saturday, July 18th (22:00 GMT) – Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, Florida)
What are your predictions for England vs Argentina?
There is little separating England and Argentina ahead of the long-awaited second semi-final, with both teams arriving in good form with history at stake. According to the Opta supercomputer, England have a slight advantage, progressing on 51.9% of predicted simulations.
In an unprecedented statistical result, England captain Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham each scored six goals, making it the first time in World Cup history that two players from the same country have reached that milestone in the same tournament.
Led by Lionel Messi, the front-runner for the Golden Boot with eight goals, Argentina found the back of the net 17 times and will advance to the semi-finals as the top-scoring team at the 2026 World Cup. With just one more goal, he will match the record for most goals scored in a single season at the World Cup.
Wednesday’s matchup at Atlanta Stadium will renew one of international soccer’s most storied rivalries and move the winner one step closer to World Cup immortality.
What else is going on?
France’s World Cup dream ends
Spain faced France in the semifinals in Dallas, reaching the World Cup finals for the first time since 2010.
La Roja once again showed their defensive strength by keeping a clean sheet against a Les Bleus side who entered the match with one of the most dangerous attacks in the competition, led by captain Kylian Mbappe.
Spain took the lead in the 22nd minute with Mikel Oyarzabal calmly converting a penalty after Lamine Yamal was brought down in the box. Pedro Polo added his second goal in the 58th minute, stopping a move created by Dani Olmo to ensure Spain was in the lead.
This defeat ended France’s hopes of advancing to the World Cup finals for the third consecutive year. They reached the semi-finals unbeaten through their first six games, scoring 16 goals in the tournament, but struggled to break down Spain’s midfield and create consistent chances.
Mbappé frankly evaluated France’s performance after the defeat, admitting that his team was unable to execute their game plan and that Spain had too much control.
“Technically and tactically, we didn’t play the way we wanted,” Mbappe said. “If you don’t do what you’re supposed to do in the World Cup semi-finals, you’re not going to win.”
The 27-year-old also highlighted Spain’s dominance in midfield, where Rodri and Fabian Ruiz were able to dictate the tempo using time and space on the ball. Mbappe said defensive communication and impending decisions were a big challenge throughout the match.
France’s strategy was to pressure Spain high up the pitch and disrupt their possession-based style, but Spain broke through the press many times and quickly regained the initiative each time France regained the ball.
Lamine Yamal makes history on the World Cup stage
Yamal continues to prove that age is no barrier at the World Cup.
The Spanish teenager played a key role in his team’s 2-0 victory over France in the semi-finals, producing a game-changing moment. France national team defender Lucas Digne tried to clear a loose ball inside his own penalty area, but Yamal saw an opening and jumped out to push it in. Digne was unable to see the incoming forward and caught Yamal on his follow-through, giving Spain a penalty.
Yamal scored just one goal on Spain’s journey to the World Cup finals, but his influence goes far beyond the scoresheet. The Barcelona star’s intelligent movement and ability to create chances have been a key part of La Roja’s success.
The match came the day after Yamal’s 19th birthday, and his performance gave Spain coach Luis de la Fuente another example of the maturity he has shown in his first World Cup appearance.
“This team perfectly interprets every play of the game,” coach de la Fuente said after Spain qualified for the final.
Yamal’s smart play earned him a penalty, but veteran Oyarzabal took advantage of the chance and converted his shot. The Real Sociedad forward calmly slotted a shot into the top right corner in the 22nd minute to score his team’s fifth goal of the tournament.
Tom Cruise and IShowSpeed attend World Cup Closing Ceremony
A wide range of performers, from actor Tom Cruise to streamer IShowSpeed, will help bring the World Cup to a close, FIFA announced on Tuesday.
Football’s governing body has announced the squad for the closing ceremony, which will be held 90 minutes before Sunday’s final. FIFA said in a statement that the show aims to “celebrate the unforgettable journey of 48 teams” across 16 host cities across three countries.
IShowSpeed, which streams multiple games, is listed as a performer, while Cruise, who was spotted in the stands and performed a stunt at the closing ceremony of the Paris Olympics, is also being touted as a “special appearance.”
The ceremony will also include a performance by Italian singer Laura Pausini, who helped open the Milan-Cortina Olympics in February. Nicole Scherzinger, Tony Award winner and member of the Pussycat Dolls. and British singer and former Take That member Robbie Williams.
“Reflecting the spirit of the opening ceremony that welcomed the world to the highest stages in Canada, Mexico and the United States, the closing ceremony will bring the 2026 FIFA World Cup full circle through music, culture and soccer, kicking off the long-awaited match that will determine the champion of this landmark tournament,” said Heimo Silgi, World Cup Chief Operating Officer.
