World Cup 2026: England and Argentina reach semi-finals
England and Argentina have advanced to the semi-finals after quarter-final wins, with Jude Bellingham shining for the Three Lions and Erling Haaland's campaign ending.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Author: YantsImages
The 2026 World Cup has reached a semi-final lineup that appears to be exactly what FIFA envisioned. France, Spain, Argentina, and England make up the final four. Remarkably, this is the first time since the FIFA rankings began in 1992 that the top four ranked teams have all reached the men's semi-finals.
Argentina secured a 3-1 victory over Switzerland in extra time. It was the first time in 10 World Cup matches that Lionel Messi failed to score, yet Lionel Scaloni's side continues to find ways to win as they pursue back-to-back titles.
England, managed by Thomas Tuchel, faced a tough challenge against Norway but emerged victorious in extra time. Jude Bellingham was the standout performer, scoring a brace that displayed his unique ability to drag his team to victory. His performance has drawn comparisons to the most inspirational displays in England's history.
For Erling Haaland, the defeat marked his first game in the qualifying or tournament phase where he failed to score. Despite the exit, Haaland's impact was undeniable, as he led Norway to their first World Cup appearance since 1998 and their debut quarter-final showing.
The tournament now pauses for two rest days before returning on Tuesday with France versus Spain, followed by the highly anticipated clash between England and Argentina on Wednesday in Atlanta.