WeeklySA_AdminSHOWDOWN: France and Spain book blockbuster semi-final date as England, Norway, Argentina and Switzerland battle to complete the tournament’s last-four line-up…
By WSAM Sports Reporter
The 2026 FIFA World Cup has entered its decisive phase, with France and Spain safely through to the semi-finals and four remaining nations preparing to fight for the final two places in the tournament’s last four.
France brought Africa’s participation at the global showpiece to an end with a hard-earned 2-0 victory over Morocco in Boston on Thursday, before Spain edged Belgium 2-1 in Los Angeles on Friday to set up a mouth-watering semi-final between two of European football’s strongest teams.
The remaining quarter-finals will be completed on Saturday, with Norway facing England in Miami before defending champions Argentina meet Switzerland in Kansas City. The winners will face each other in the second semi-final in Atlanta on Wednesday.
France became the first team to reach the semi-finals after eventually overcoming a resilient Moroccan side that had once again carried Africa’s hopes deep into the competition.
Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou kept his side in the contest during the opening half, producing a superb save to deny Kylian Mbappé from the penalty spot after the French captain had been brought down in the area.
The Atlas Lions returned from the interval with renewed ambition and briefly threatened to take control as Azzedine Ounahi drove them forward from midfield.
However, France’s attacking quality eventually proved decisive.
Mbappé broke Morocco’s resistance shortly after the hour mark, curling a fine finish into the far corner. Six minutes later, he turned provider for Ousmane Dembélé, who doubled the advantage with a low strike from the edge of the area.
France then managed the closing stages professionally to seal another appearance in the World Cup semi-finals.
Although Morocco’s journey ended in disappointment, their second successive deep run at the tournament further strengthened their status as one of international football’s emerging powers. The Atlas Lions departed after another campaign built on defensive discipline, tactical intelligence and an ability to compete with the game’s traditional heavyweights.
Spain joined France in the last four after surviving a determined challenge from Belgium.
The Spanish entered the quarter-final as slight favourites but were forced to work throughout an absorbing contest against a Belgian side that had arrived with growing confidence after an emphatic 4-1 victory over co-hosts the United States in the round of 16.
Spain eventually prevailed 2-1, with Mikel Merino scoring the decisive late goal to send his country into the semi-finals for the first time since their title-winning campaign in 2010.
The result sets up a heavyweight showdown with France in Dallas on July 14.
The semi-final will bring together two sides rich in technical quality but possessing contrasting styles. Spain are expected to dominate possession and rely on their patient passing game, while France will seek to exploit space through the pace and directness of Mbappé and Dembélé.
France’s ability to remain composed under pressure and Spain’s control of the ball could make the midfield battle decisive. The contest also presents Mbappé with another opportunity to strengthen his claim for the Golden Boot and potentially lead France into a third successive World Cup final.
Attention now shifts to Saturday’s two remaining quarter-finals.
England face Norway at Miami Stadium in a contest dominated by the individual duel between Harry Kane and Erling Haaland, two of the most prolific strikers of their generation.
Norway have emerged as one of the tournament’s great surprise packages. Their 2-1 round-of-16 victory over Brazil, inspired by two Haaland goals, sent them into the quarter-finals for the first time and confirmed that their run is based on far more than novelty.
England, meanwhile, survived a dramatic 3-2 encounter against Mexico to reach a third consecutive World Cup quarter-final. Jude Bellingham scored twice, while Kane converted a penalty as England held on despite finishing the match with 10 men following Jarell Quansah’s dismissal.
Norway will look to use Haaland’s power and direct running, supported by the creativity of Martin Ødegaard, while England will rely on Bellingham’s midfield influence and Kane’s ability to link play as well as score.
Messi vs Xhaka
The final quarter-final pits Argentina against Switzerland in Kansas City.
Argentina remain on course to defend the title they won in Qatar, but their 3-2 victory over Egypt in the round of 16 exposed defensive vulnerabilities and was overshadowed by a bitter refereeing dispute.
Lionel Messi, now 39, remains central to Argentina’s ambitions as he seeks to extend one of the most remarkable careers in World Cup history.
Switzerland, who will be led by their superstar Granit Xhaka, will enter the match as underdogs but have shown remarkable discipline. They reached the quarter-finals after defeating Colombia in a penalty shootout following a goalless round-of-16 contest and will seek to frustrate Argentina with their compact defensive structure.
Should England and Argentina advance, Wednesday’s second semi-final would offer a meeting between two of football’s most historically significant nations. Norway, however, have already eliminated Brazil, while Switzerland have repeatedly demonstrated that reputation alone counts for little in knockout football.
With Morocco’s proud African challenge over and only six teams still in contention, the World Cup has reached the point where one moment of brilliance—or one costly error—can determine who plays for football’s greatest prize.
