France and Spain have been confirmed as the first two semi-finalists of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, following their quarter-final victories over Morocco and Belgium, respectively. The two European powerhouses will meet at AT&T Stadium on July 14, 2026, for a place in the final.
France Overcome Morocco
In the first quarter-final, France defeated Morocco 2-0 to reach their third consecutive World Cup semi-final. Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring in the first half, and Ousmane Dembele doubled the lead after the break, ensuring a comfortable win for Les Bleus. The result ends Morocco's historic run, which saw them become the first African team to reach the quarter-finals.
Spain Edge Belgium in Extra Time
Spain needed extra time to overcome a resilient Belgium side. Fabian Ruiz gave Spain the lead in the 65th minute, but Charles de Ketelaere equalised for Belgium in the 82nd minute, forcing extra time. Super-sub Mikel Merino, who scored the winner against Portugal in the previous round, repeated his heroics by netting the decisive goal in the 105th minute. Merino came off the bench to head home a cross from Dani Olmo, sending Spain into the semi-finals.
Remaining Quarter-Finals
The other two quarter-finals are yet to be played. Norway will face England, while defending champions Argentina will take on Switzerland. The winners of those matches will meet in the second semi-final.
According to Elijah Odetokun, a sports editor at Legit.ng, the semi-final matchup is highly anticipated, with both France and Spain boasting strong squads. France are seeking their third title, while Spain aim to reclaim the trophy they won in 2010.
