Gear Up for the World Cup…
July12July 13, 2026

Gear Up for the World Cup…

By In
ESPN Soccer News
Jul 12, 2026, 09:52 AM ET

With just one week remaining before the grand finale of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, only four teams remain in contention for the prestigious title of world champion.

This tournament has seen 44 teams, including co-hosts Canada, Mexico, and the United States, as well as historically prominent teams like Brazil and Germany, exit the tournament as they pursued glory over the past month.

The only teams left standing are the reigning champions Argentina, alongside England, France, and Spain, all aiming for victory in the final match scheduled in New Jersey on July 19.

– Evaluating Every Team Eliminated from the World Cup
– Golden Boot Tracker: Who Will Score the Most Goals in the World Cup?
– Overview of FIFA President Infantino’s Extensive World Cup Tour

How did we arrive at this point? Which players have made the biggest impacts? What unforgettable moments have defined this tournament?

ESPN’s Sam Marsden provides insights into these questions, while Sam Tighe analyzes key tactical matchups for the two semifinals. Our team of writers, who have been closely following the tournament, will share their predictions for each matchup and we’ll provide the most up-to-date betting odds from DraftKings.

Navigate to: France vs. Spain | England vs. Argentina

France vs. Spain (Tuesday, 3 p.m. ET | Arlington, Texas)

France flagFRANCE

Path to the Semifinal: France has enjoyed a smooth journey to this stage, winning all six of their matches and netting 16 goals overall. The attacking prowess of Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, and Michael Olise has overwhelmed opposing teams. In the group stage, they convincingly defeated Senegal (3-1), Iraq (3-0), and Norway (4-1). They followed this up by defeating Sweden 3-0 in the round of 32.

In the round of 16, they faced a tougher challenge from Paraguay, who adopted a physical approach, but a second-half penalty from Mbappé ensured their advancement. In the quarterfinal, despite a first-half penalty miss, Mbappé redeemed himself by scoring a stunning goal and assisting Dembélé to secure a 2-0 victory against Morocco.

Key Player: Mbappé leads with eight goals and three assists, surpassing Dembélé (five goals, two assists) and Olise (five assists). The Real Madrid star has a remarkable World Cup record of 20 goals in 20 appearances, a feat only bettered by Lionel Messi. Mbappé continues to be the driving force behind Les Bleus’ quest for a third World Cup title, following their success in 2018.

Memorable Moment So Far: France has advanced comfortably without a defining moment of high drama. However, they have dazzled with their attacking flair, particularly Mbappé’s strikes against Sweden showcasing his lethal ability and impressive team play with Olise and Dembélé. The most significant moment was Mbappé’s stunning strike in the 60th minute against Morocco, which sealed France’s commanding performance.

Spain flagSPAIN

Path to the Semifinal: While Spain has not fully found their rhythm, the European champions have progressed without the impression of being significantly threatened. Following an unexpected goalless draw against Cape Verde, Spain navigated Group H with wins against Saudi Arabia (4-0) and Uruguay (1-0), followed by a decisive 3-0 victory over Austria. They faced tension in the round of 16 against Portugal, but Mikel Merino‘s last-minute goal secured a narrow 1-0 victory. He repeated his heroics with a decisive goal in the quarterfinal, ensuring a 2-1 win against Belgium.

Slow progress has allowed fitness doubts like Rodri and Lamine Yamal to find their form, and having the tournament’s best defense has limited drama. Spain has only conceded one goal, but they will need to be more incisive in attack to challenge France effectively.

Key Player: Merino may have participated in only 136 minutes, but he has made a significant impact for Spain. He scored the crucial goals against Germany and Portugal when the team struggled. Meanwhile, Mikel Oyarzabal has also made notable contributions with four goals, although he hasn’t found the net lately. Rodri’s performance continues to improve as Spain awaits for teenage sensation Yamal to regain form after injury.

Memorable Moment So Far: Merino’s knack for crucial goals has been on display again. His late winner against Portugal came at a vital moment, and he replicated that feat against Belgium to send Spain through. “I still can’t quite believe it,” he remarked, securing his status in Spanish football history regardless of the outcome ahead.

Key Match Factors

France’s dominance was shown in their 2-0 victory over Morocco, exhibiting an xG of 3.69 while conceding just 0.14, careening through the tournament.

Spain shouldn’t be intimidated, as they have defeated Les Bleus in previous encounters. Their ball control allows them to dictate the game’s tempo, using possession to minimize France’s chances to attack. Still, limiting France’s opportunities entirely is unlikely, as their quick counterattacks—especially with players like Mbappé and Olise—can turn the tide rapidly.

This means there will be openings for France to capitalize on counterattacks. It raises the question: will Mbappé & Co. leverage those chances effectively, or can Spain’s Rodri effectively contain them?

— Tighe

Predictions

Lizzy Becherano: France 3-1 Spain. Their recent performances suggest France will maintain momentum against a talented but outmatched side.

Jeff Carlisle: France 2-1 Spain. Spain is talented, yet France has a decisive edge in firepower with players like Mbappé, Olise, and Dembélé.

Bill Connelly: Spain 2-1 France. Spain’s possession tactics may finally click, making it tough for France to secure an opening.

Rob Dawson: France 1-0 Spain. As the most balanced team left, France only needs to effectively manage Spain’s midfield to succeed.

Tom Hamilton: France 3-1 Spain. While France may take some time to break through, their offensive firepower will ultimately overwhelm Spain.

Gab Marcotti: Spain 2-1 France. While France appears superior, Spain’s different challenges could create an upset.

James Olley: France 1-2 Spain. Spain’s tactical approach could neutralize France’s flair, leading to a narrow victory.

Mark Ogden: France 2-1 Spain. The depth of France’s scoring options might prove too much for a Spain team reliant on late plays.

Betting Odds (via DK Sports, correct at time of publication)

France: -155
Spain: +125


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Burley: Bellingham believes ‘he can take England all the way’

England vs. Argentina (Wednesday, 3 p.m. ET | Atlanta)

England flagENGLAND

Path to the Semifinal: England kicked off their campaign with a thrilling 4-2 victory over Croatia, but faced challenges with a disappointing goalless draw against Ghana. They managed a modest 2-0 win against Panama, setting up a round-of-32 clash with Congo DR. They faced an early scare against the African side, trailing briefly before two goals by Harry Kane secured a 2-1 comeback victory.

Their next challenge was against co-hosts Mexico in Mexico City, where they triumphed against the fierce local crowd, high altitude, and a red card for Jarell Quansah. They ultimately found a way to win 3-2, thanks to a brace from Jude Bellingham and a penalty converted by Kane. They displayed resilience again in the quarterfinal, coming from behind to beat Norway 2-1 in Miami after extra time, with Bellingham shining yet again with two goals.

Key Player: It’s hard to envision England’s success reaching the semifinals without Bellingham. The Real Madrid midfielder has been instrumental, scoring and assisting crucial goals against both Croatia and Panama, and following up with stellar performances against Mexico and Norway that position him among nominees for the Golden Ball as best player of the tournament. His standout display against Mexico featured two goals that laid the groundwork for an impressive victory, further culminating in another pair against Norway.

Memorable Moment So Far: Kane’s late winner against Congo DR stands out as a moment of pure joy due to its timing, quality, and significance, representing a dramatic comeback. Bellingham’s goals against Mexico also hold a special place, particularly his critical extra-time goal against Norway when a spill from Ørjan Nyland set the stage for a euphoric finish.

Argentina flagARGENTINA

Path to the Semifinal: Argentina has had a thrilling but rocky road to the semifinals. Their group stage was strong, featuring wins against Algeria (3-0), Austria (2-0), and Jordan (3-1). However, they faced significant challenges in subsequent matches. They edged past Cape Verde, winning 3-2 after extra time, before coming back from a 2-0 deficit against Egypt, ultimately winning with Enzo Fernández’s last-minute goal in another remarkable 3-2 victory. In the quarterfinal, Julián Álvarez‘s stunning strike in the 112th minute helped secure a 3-1 win over ten-man Switzerland.

Key Player: Despite being 39, Messi has been the standout player, contributing to eight of Argentina’s 17 goals and breaking numerous records, including his status as the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history with 21 goals. His influence was pivotal in the comeback against Egypt.

Memorable Moment So Far: Among Argentina’s tightly contested matches, Fernández’s late winner against Egypt solidified his status as a national hero while Aoávez’s spectacular goal against Switzerland was a highlight. The high stakes and late drama have made their campaign exhilarating.

Key Match Factors

While Argentina has not consistently impressed throughout the tournament, Lionel Messi’s brilliance has propelled them forward.

The 39-year-old’s exceptional ability—whether scoring from central positions or delivering sublime assists—has masked the team’s defensive frailties. Their shift to a 4-4-2 diamond formation has concentrated their attack but left them vulnerable defensively. England will need to effectively match or surpass Argentina’s numbers in central areas to counteract Messi’s influence.

England can leverage their physical style and overall energy with players like Elliot Anderson, Declan Rice, and Bellingham. Given last match struggles against Norway, Thomas Tuchel will look to address shortcomings and find a way to stifle Messi’s influence while adapting to their opponent’s fluidity. — Tighe

Predictions

Becherano: England 2-2 Argentina (Argentina wins on penalties). This encounter is expected to be tightly contested, and if it goes to penalties, Emiliano Martinez proves to be a reliable goalkeeper in the clutch.

Carlisle: England 2-1 Argentina. Argentina’s performances suggest they may be wearing out, while England appears to be building momentum.

Connelly: England 2-1 Argentina. England’s finishing ability could exploit the weaknesses exposed by Switzerland during the quarterfinals.

Dawson: England 2-2 Argentina (England wins on penalties). Given both teams’ tendencies to score and concede, expect a thrilling encounter.

Hamilton: England 3-2 Argentina (AET). If England can recover physically, their squad dynamics could prevail over Argentina’s fatigue.

Marcotti: Argentina 0-0 England (Argentina wins on penalties). Expect both teams to focus heavily on grit and determination, leading toward a penalty shootout that showcases England’s legendary struggles in this department.

Olley: England 1-2 Argentina. This match could be a battle of attrition, and Argentina might just edge a closely fought contest.

Ogden: England 2-1 Argentina. England has demonstrated a collective strength that could create problems for an organized but weary Argentine side.

Betting Odds (via DK Sports, correct at time of publication)

England: -135
Argentina: +110