World Cup 2026 · Day 35
Spain are the first finalists after a 2-0 win over France, and today England meet Argentina in Atlanta to decide who joins them at MetLife on 19 July
Spain reached their third World Cup final on Tuesday, beating France 2-0 in Arlington through Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro. On Wednesday 15 July, England face holders Argentina in Atlanta in the second semi-final. Five verified stories.
15 July 2026 · WorldCuply.com daily news archive
FinalSpain reach the World Cup final, beating France 2-0 in Arlington through Oyarzabal and Porro
Spain became the first finalists of the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday 14 July, beating France 2-0 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, near Dallas, per ESPN, NBC Sports and Local 10. Mikel Oyarzabal opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 22nd minute, and Pedro Porro made it 2-0 in the 58th after a give-and-go with Dani Olmo. It is the third summer in a row that Spain have knocked France out of a major tournament semi-final, and Spain's third World Cup final. They meet the winner of England against Argentina at MetLife Stadium on Sunday 19 July.
Sources: ESPN · NBC Sports · Local 10
Semi-finalEngland meet holders Argentina in Atlanta today, their first World Cup clash in 21 years, with the final at stake
England face defending champions Argentina at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Wednesday 15 July in the second semi-final, per FIFA, ESPN and Al Jazeera, kicking off at 3 p.m. ET. It is the first meeting between the two at a World Cup in 21 years. Argentina have won their last five matches, beating Switzerland 3-1, while England edged Norway 2-1 after extra time in the quarter-final. The winner joins Spain in the final at MetLife on 19 July; the loser plays France for third place.
Sources: FIFA · ESPN · Al Jazeera
Golden BootMessi leads the scoring chart on 8 goals ahead of today's semi-final, with Kane and Bellingham on 6
Argentina's Lionel Messi tops the 2026 World Cup scoring chart with 8 goals going into the second semi-final, per Al Jazeera and Goal. England pair Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham are next on 6 goals each, so tonight's Atlanta semi-final could decide the Golden Boot as well as a place in the final. At 39, Messi is also setting appearance records at what he has said is his final World Cup.
Sources: Al Jazeera · Goal
PredictionOpta's supercomputer makes England slight favourites over Argentina in the second semi-final
The Opta supercomputer gives England a 38.9 percent chance of winning the Atlanta semi-final in regulation time, ahead of Argentina on 34.1 percent, with a 27 percent chance the tie goes to extra time, per Opta Analyst and Total Football Analysis. Spain, already through to the final, await the winner at MetLife on 19 July.
Sources: Opta Analyst · Total Football Analysis
ScheduleThe finish line is set: third-place match in Miami on 18 July, World Cup final at MetLife on 19 July
The tournament closes with the third-place match at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Saturday 18 July at 5 p.m. ET, where France meet the losing semi-finalist, per FIFA, Sports Illustrated and Yahoo Sports. The World Cup final is at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sunday 19 July at 3 p.m. ET, where Spain await England or Argentina.
Sources: FIFA · Sports Illustrated · Yahoo Sports