2026 World Cup Schedule, Squads & Predictions

Yamal's birthday, Mbappé cleared — rest day storylines. Lamine Yamal celebrated his 19th birthday on Monday (born July 13, 2007), the tournament's rest day — making him the youngest player in history to reach a World Cup semi-final. Kylian Mbappé, who was withdrawn with an ankle knock in the 77th minute of France's quarter-final against Morocco, has been fully cleared by France's medical staff and is expected to start against Spain. Both coaches held pitchside walkthroughs in Arlington on Monday; Spain confirmed an unchanged squad after Mikel Merino's stoppage-time winner beat Belgium on July 10. (Al Jazeera / Sports Mole / ESPN)

SF1 today: France vs Spain, AT&T Stadium, 3 p.m. ET. The first 2026 semi-final kicks off today at AT&T Stadium in Arlington at 3 p.m. ET (Fox / Telemundo). France enter as the only side yet to concede in the knockout rounds, with Mbappé leading the tournament scoring charts on 8 goals. Spain boast five clean sheets and go in having defeated France in both Euro 2024 and the 2025 UEFA Nations League — the psychological edge is Spain's, even if France hold the form advantage. Yamal and Mbappé face each other: Yamal has never lost to Mbappé in a single-elimination match. (FIFA / FOX Sports / Al Jazeera)

SF2 tomorrow: England vs Argentina in Atlanta, 3 p.m. ET. Wednesday brings the second semi-final (Match 102) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta — England vs Argentina, 3 p.m. ET. It is the first meeting between the two sides in 21 years. Jude Bellingham, whose brace sent England past Norway in the quarter-final, faces Lionel Messi and the reigning world champions. Argentina are the only team in this semi-final field to be pushed to extra time so far in the knockouts; England have been more clinical. The winner meets the France or Spain survivor in the MetLife Stadium final on July 19. (England Football / NBC Sports / Al Jazeera)