Get ready for the semifinals! What you need to kno...

Get ready for the World Cup semifinals! What you need to know, top players, best moments, predictions, odds20mESPNMagic from Álvarez, not Messi, sees Argentina through to the World Cup semifinals8hLizzy Becherano and Bill ConnellyVAR review: Embolo sent off as Ream's 'mistaken identity' loophole appears again8hAndy DaviesFIFA: 'No evidence' ball hit wire in England's goal14hESPN News ServicesNorway boss fumes at 'clear' TV wire goal assist8hPAMessi praises 'not normal' Argentina in WC defense5hESPN News ServicesÁlvarez ET screamer fires Argentina into WC semis8hLizzy BecheranoBellingham backs England stars after Tuchel fury11hJames OlleySwiss fume as VAR gets Embolo red card for diving8hESPN News ServicesSouth Africa's Adams, who played at WC, dies at 2523hLeonard SolmsSources: Chelsea prioritise exit for Garnacho20hJames OlleyGrading the USMNT's World Cup: Did Pochettino, Pulisic & Co. live up to expectations?

3dJeff CarlisleEngland's grit to overcome adversity at this World Cup has them believing again6hJames OlleyBellingham's big night eclipses anonymous Haaland as England reach World Cup semifinals13hTom Hamilton, +2 MoreWorld Cup Daily live: Spidercam debate rumbles on as four semifinalists confirmed2mESPNBreakout stars of the 2026 World Cup: Diomande, Freeman, Manzambi, more6hMohamed MohamedTransfer rumors, news: Man United, Liverpool turn to Wolves midfielder1hESPNWhat it's like to transfer clubs during a World Cup, and does it ever go wrong?6hSam TigheUSMNT's Pulisic flopped at this World Cup, but does he deserve the blame?2dSam BordenGrades for every team eliminated from the World Cup: Belgium gets a B-1dRyan O'HanlonplayLeboeuf: France favourites against Spain in 'final before the final' (1:00)ESPNMultiple AuthorsJul 12, 2026, 08:55 AM ETEmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsWith only a week to go until the final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, there are now just four teams still harboring dreams of becoming world champions.

We've seen 44 teams -- including co-hosts Canada, Mexico and the United States, as well traditional powerhouses Brazil and Germany -- fall by the wayside over the past month.Now only reigning world champions Argentina plus England, France and Spain still have their eyes on victory in the final in New Jersey on July 19.- Grading every team eliminated from the World Cup - Golden Boot tracker: Who will score most goals at the World Cup?

- Where has Infantino been? FIFA president's epic World Cup tourBut how did we get here? Who are the players who have stood out the most?

And what are the moments that we'll never forget?ESPN's Sam Marsden brings you up to date with answers to all of those questions, Sam Tighe looks at where the two semifinals will be won and lost, a selection of our writers who have been reporting on the tournament give us their predictions on the winner of each matchup, and we'll bring you the latest betting odds for each tie via DraftKings.Jump to: France vs.

Spain | England vs. ArgentinaFrance vs. Spain (Tuesday, 3 p.

m. ET | Arlington, Texas)FRANCEHow they got here: France's progress to this stage has been relatively trouble free. They have won all six of their games to date, scoring 16 goals and overpowering teams with the attacking brilliance of Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise.

Senegal (3-1), Iraq (3-0) and Norway (4-1) were comfortably beaten in the group stage, before Sweden were dispatched 3-0 in the round of 32.Paraguay did a better job of keeping them at bay in the round of 16, with their physical approach offering a different challenge, but a second-half penalty from Mbappé ensured the 2018 winners progressed to the last eight meeting with Morocco. The African side were expected to pose more of a challenge, but France swatted them aside despite Mbappé having a first-half penalty saved.

He made amends after the break with a fine individual goal before assisting Dembélé in a 2-0 win.Star player so far: Mbappé (eight goals, three assists) edges over Dembélé (five goals, two assists) and Olise (five assists). The Real Madrid striker has had an outstanding tournament and his overall World Cup record is stunning: he has 20 goals in 20 appearances -- a figure bettered only by Lionel Messi.

As the Morocco quarterfinal showed, he is again the man driving Les Bleus' push for a third World Cup title, which would also be his second, after winning it eight years ago.Best moment so far: Given the ease with which they have advanced so far, there has not been that big moment at a time of need. France have produced breathtaking moments of beauty -- such as Mbappé's goals in the win over Sweden, which showcased not only his killer instinct, but also the link-up play between him, Olise and Dembélé -- but perhaps the biggest release came with the opener against Morocco.

Didier Deschamps' side were completely in control of the tie, but Mbappé's brilliant strike in the 60th minute ensured their dominance would pay off.Masterful from Mbappé.France leads Morocco in the