World Cup 2026: the final four and the road to July 19

The biggest World Cup ever has come down to its final four, and it is a heavyweight line-up: France, Spain, England and Argentina — the top four ranked teams on the planet. All four earned it the hard way in the quarter-finals, where France brushed aside Morocco 2-0, Spain edged Belgium 2-1, and both England and Argentina needed extra time to see off Norway and Switzerland respectively.

The semifinals are mouth-watering. On July 14 in Dallas, France meet Spain in a clash of styles and generations — Kylian Mbappe, in scintillating form, against Spain's teenage magician Lamine Yamal and the reigning European champions. A day later in Atlanta, England face defending world champions Argentina, with Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane going toe to toe with the one and only Lionel Messi.

Getting here meant surviving a tournament full of shocks. Pre-tournament favourites Brazil were dumped out by Erling Haaland's Norway, Portugal were eliminated by Spain, and a generation of superstars — Cristiano Ronaldo among them — saw their World Cup dreams end early. For Messi, though, the dream is very much alive: eight goals in six games and a shot at back-to-back world titles for Argentina.

It all builds to Sunday, July 19 at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where the biggest prize in football will be lifted. Two more wins separate each of these giants from immortality. If the drama tempts you to place a bet on the semis or the final, treat it as entertainment, compare the odds first, and always stay within your limits — you will find trusted crypto and fiat sportsbooks in our reviews. Enjoy the show, and bet for fun.