World Cup semifinals preview: Heavyweight matchups in store - Sportsnet.ca
The 2026 FIFA World Cup has reached its semifinal stage, with the four highest-ranked teams in the world set to compete. After beginning on June 11 with 48 nations, the tournament now features France, Argentina, Spain, and England, all of whom remain undefeated. These four nations have all previously won a World Cup title.
The semifinals are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, with the winners advancing to Sunday’s final in New York. The teams that do not win their semifinal matches will play for third place on Saturday in Miami.
France versus Spain in Dallas
One of the semifinal clashes will see France take on Spain on Tuesday at 3 p.m. ET in Dallas. This European showdown pits France’s potent attack against Spain’s strong defence. France has scored 16 goals in seven matches, with Kylian Mbappé contributing eight goals, tying him with Lionel Messi as the tournament’s joint top scorer.
Spain’s defence, featuring veteran Aymeric Laporte and young talent Pau Cubarsi, has been largely impenetrable, recording five clean sheets before conceding its first goal in a 2-1 quarterfinal victory over Belgium. While France boasts a strong attack, they have yet to face a defensive line as robust as Spain’s.
For France, midfielder Michael Olise has been a key creative force, providing five assists, which is the highest in the tournament. He is one assist away from tying the single-tournament record set by Pelé in 1970. Olise’s precise passes have been crucial in unlocking opposing defences, and France has scored in all six of its matches.
Mikel Merino has been a significant impact player for Spain, often coming off the bench to score decisive goals. He netted the winning goal in the round of 16 against Portugal and again in the quarterfinals against Belgium. Merino’s ability to anticipate plays has been vital for Spain, especially with Lamine Yamal having a quieter tournament.
A key midfield battle is anticipated between France’s Désiré Doué and Spain’s Rodri. Doué, despite having one goal and one assist, has been influential in France’s counterattacks, facilitating quick transitions from defence to offence. Given Spain’s tendency to dominate possession, Doué’s ability to create opportunities when France regains the ball will be crucial, and Rodri will be tasked with disrupting his play.
England faces Argentina in Atlanta
The second semifinal will feature England and Argentina on Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET in Atlanta, renewing a long-standing rivalry. This marks their sixth encounter in a World Cup, but their first-ever semifinal meeting. Argentina has navigated through challenging knockout rounds, while England also faced tough competition in its three knockout games.
Argentina leads the tournament with 17 goals, while England is close behind with 13, suggesting a high-scoring match. Lionel Messi, at 39, has been a standout player for Argentina, scoring eight goals and providing two assists, and finding the net in all but one of Argentina’s six matches. His efficiency is notable, as FIFA tracking data indicates he covers approximately 64 percent of his distance at a walking pace.
For England, Jude Bellingham has been a pivotal player, scoring six goals. He is the first player in World Cup history to achieve a brace in consecutive knockout matches since Diego Maradona in 1986. Harry Kane has also been a top scorer for England with six goals, and both players have been instrumental in the team’s progress.
The midfield battle between England’s Declan Rice and Argentina’s Alexis Mac Allister is expected to be a deciding factor. Rice, alongside Elliot Anderson, has been crucial in shielding England’s defence. Mac Allister, with Enzo Fernández, has demonstrated composure under pressure and the ability to disrupt opposing midfields. Rice’s role in maintaining possession and slowing Argentina’s attack will be vital, while Mac Allister’s success in winning the midfield could enable Argentina’s attack to overwhelm England’s defence, potentially involving Messi and Lautaro Martínez.
Both England and Argentina have relied on moments of individual brilliance to advance through the knockout stages. Argentina, the defending champion, has several players who won the title in 2022, bringing valuable experience to this semifinal match.
France, considered a tournament favourite by some, has progressed steadily, largely due to its talented attacking players like Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé. Manager Didier Deschamps is set to leave his role after this tournament, and France aims to secure another World Cup title. Spain, despite not always dazzling with its performances, has reached this stage with a strong midfield and defence, having conceded only one goal throughout the tournament.
The winner of the France-Spain semifinal is expected to be a favourite to win the entire tournament on July 19.
Source: sportsnet.ca
