World Cup Semi-Final Picture Takes Shape as Spain Meet Belgium

The 2026 World Cup has reached its final four seats, and three of them remain unclaimed. France, first through after dispatching Morocco 2-0 in Boston, now wait to learn who joins them in the semi-finals.

The answer to their half of the bracket arrives on Friday in Inglewood, where Spain face Belgium. Spain squeezed past Portugal with a Mikel Merino goal in the 91st minute, ending Cristiano Ronaldo's final World Cup; Belgium arrived by dismantling the co-hosting United States 4-1 in Seattle behind a Charles De Ketelaere masterclass. The winner meets France in Dallas on July 14 — a semi-final of European heavyweights whichever way it falls.

Saturday settles the other half. Norway, authors of the tournament's greatest shock in eliminating Brazil, face England in Miami Gardens — the Scandinavians' golden generation against a side that edged past Mexico. Later, in Kansas City, Argentina take on Switzerland. The defending champions arrive off a comeback for the ages, having trailed Egypt by two goals with eleven minutes left before Messi dragged them back from the dead. Those two winners meet in Atlanta on July 15.

The individual subplot runs through both halves. Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi are locked on eight goals apiece in the Golden Boot race, the Frenchman ahead on assists — the sport's reigning genius and its heir apparent, both still alive, both potentially bound for the same final.

With Brazil, Portugal, Morocco and the co-hosts all gone, the tournament's last week belongs to Europe and Argentina. And to the possibility, growing more real by the round, of Messi and Mbappé meeting once more with a World Cup on the line.