World Cup Semi-Final Fixtures

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to commence on Thursday 11 June as co-hosts Mexico face South Africa in Mexico City in Group A.

There will be 100 games played in total before the first semi-final, and this article aims to tell all you need to know about the World Cup semi-final fixtures.

Also, feel free to check out our dedicated Best World Cup betting tips & strategies page as we get closer to the start of the tournament.

World Cup Semi-Final Fixtures

The semi-final fixtures will take place between Tuesday 14 July and Wednesday 15 July, with the details outlined below:

Tuesday 14 July

• Match 101 – Winner match 97 v Winner match 98 – Dallas Stadium

Wednesday 15 July

• Match 102 – Winner match 99 v Winner match 100 – Atlanta Stadium

Most memorable World Cup Semi-Finals in history

We have seen many exciting matches at this stage of the World Cup in previous tournaments, so let us take a look at our selection of the top three most memorable semi-finals in World Cup history:

France vs Brazil – World Cup 1958 in Sweden

While this semi-final duel was not as exciting as the other two on our list since it ended with a 5-2 win for Brazil, it marked the arrival of one of the best players in history. Although the 17-year old Pele, once a shoe-shiner, already scored his first goal earlier at the tournament, this was the game after which the world knew they are witnessing greatness.

After the first half in which Brazil took a 2-1 lead, Pele stepped on the big scene in the second half and scored a hat-trick in just 23 minutes, securing his name in history as a teenager and his team's place in the final, which they will go on to win by beating Sweden again 5-2, with a couple of braces from Pele.

West Germany vs France – World Cup 1982 in Spain

Italy vs West Germany – World Cup 1970 in Mexico

Estadio Azteca was the ground of many memorable matches, including the semi final duel between Italy and West Germany in 1970. The two teams exchanged many blows in this game, but Italy was the one to draw first blood with an eighth minute goal by Boninsecna. And it was nearly enough to get the Italians to the final, but West Germany managed to score in the final minutes of the match to sent it to overtime.

After that, it was a goal bonanza in overtime. First Muller gave Germany the lead, but Burgnich and Riva turned things around. Muller once again scored to level the game, but Rivera then scored what proved to be the winning goal in 101st minute of the match.

Who are the favourites to reach the World Cup Semi-Final?

At the time of writing, the favourites to reach the World Cup semi-finals are Spain, France, England and Argentina. In fact, should the bookies' favourites win all their games, the most likely semi-final match-ups would be Spain vs France and England vs Argentina, with Spain and England progressing into the final.

Spain have actually only made the semi-finals twice, their first being in 1950 and second in 2010, where they went on to win what remains their only World Cup. This La Roja squad has the experience of winning major tournaments though having won the most recent European Championships in 2024, and boast plenty of talent including Ballon d'Or winner Rodri and teenage superstar Lamine Yamal, who is among the favourites to win the Golden Boot.

France are much more experienced in reaching the latter stages of the World Cup though, and are currently ranked the best nation in the official FIFA World Rankings. Les Bleus have reached the semi-finals on seven separate occasions, including the last two World Cups, and went on to win in 2018 and on home soil in 1998.

Like Spain, England have only ever won the World Cup once, 60 years ago in 1966. They have reached the semi-finals three times, most recently in 2018, and boast a star-studded squad led by captain and record goalscorer Harry Kane.

Argentina are the defending champions, having overcome France on penalties in Qatar in 2022 in what will be known as one of the most memorable World Cup finals in history – it finished 3-3 after extra-time with Kylian Mbappe scoring a hat-trick for Les Bleus but still ending up on the losing side, while Lionel Messi cemented his legacy by lifting the trophy. Argentina have reached the semi-finals on six different occasions, and have won the World Cup three times in total.