FIFA World Cup 2026 Knockout Stage Semi-Finals

World Cup 2026 Semi-Final Schedule

Dates, venues, kick-off times and the full knockout bracket from the quarter-finals through to the final. The 2026 World Cup is the biggest football tournament in history — 48 teams, three host nations, stadiums in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

July 2026
Semi-Final Window
AT&T Stadium
Potential Venue
MetLife Stadium
Final Venue

The Road to the Final

32
Round of 32
64 games → 32 teams advance
16
Round of 16
16 teams eliminated
QF
Quarter-Finals
4 games, 8 teams
SF
Semi-Finals
2 matches decide the finalists

Semi-Final Fixtures

Semi-Final 1 — July 14, 2026
QF1 Winner vs QF2 Winner
Venue: AT&T Stadium, Dallas Kick-off: 21:00 ET
Semi-Final 2 — July 15, 2026
QF3 Winner vs QF4 Winner
Venue: Rose Bowl, Los Angeles Kick-off: 21:00 ET
THE FINAL — July 19, 2026 — MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey
SF1 Winner vs SF2 Winner
Capacity: 82,500 Kick-off: TBC

World Cup 2026 Videos

World Cup 2026 News

How USMNT players designed the boldest kits in generations for World Cup 2026

The Guardian · None

Matildas through to the Asian Cup semi-finals as Sam Kerr stars in win against North Korea - and that's not the only good news

Daily Mail · None

FIFA confirms historic World Cup 2026 broadcast rule change allowing fans to watch matches for FREE on YouTube

The Sun · None

World Cup 2026: FIFA strike 'game-changing' deal as politician addresses boycott talks

Mirror Football · None

FIFA strikes landmark deal to force huge change to BBC and ITV World Cup 2026 matches

Mirror Football · None

World Cup 2026: Argentina – the 'nasty' holders who have a 'new role' for Lionel Messi

Mirror Football · None

World Cup 2026: Argentina – the 'nasty' holders who have a 'new role' for Lionel Messi

Mirror Football · None

World Cup 2026: Argentina – the 'nasty' holders who have a 'new role' for Lionel Messi

Mirror Football · None

England squad reaction LIVE as Trent Alexander-Arnold snubbed in final team before World Cup 2026

Mirror Football · None

England squad reaction – Trent Alexander-Arnold snubbed in final team before World Cup 2026

Mirror Football · None

Wales World Cup 2026 squad: Craig Bellamy's latest selection ahead of the March international break

FourFourTwo · None

The Spain World Cup 2026 away kit is out - and it's their best change strip EVER

FourFourTwo · None

The Scotland World Cup 2026 away kit is out - and it's a real conversation starter

FourFourTwo · None

The Mexico World Cup 2026 away kit is out - and it's absolutely stunning

FourFourTwo · None

The Japan World Cup 2026 away kit is out - and it's a contender for kit of the year

FourFourTwo · None

Is the Belgium World Cup 2026 away kit the best shirt released this year?

FourFourTwo · None

The Argentina World Cup 2026 away kit is out - and it's an artistic MASTERPIECE

FourFourTwo · None

The Germany World Cup 2026 away kit is out - and the FINAL ever Adidas release is a triumph

FourFourTwo · None

Quiz! Can you name every World Cup 2026 country's most successful club?

FourFourTwo · None

Plans to move Iran's World Cup 2026 matches to Mexico 'denied by FIFA' after Donald Trump comments

FourFourTwo · None

World Cup 2026 Knockout Format

The 2026 FIFA World Cup introduces an expanded 48-team format for the first time. The group stage sees 16 groups of three teams each, with the top two from each group plus the eight best third-place finishers advancing to a new Round of 32. From there, the knockout bracket is straight elimination through to the semi-finals.

Semi-Final Venues

The semi-finals are expected to be held at two of the tournament's marquee American venues. AT&T Stadium in Dallas (capacity 93,000) and the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles (capacity 90,000) are among the front-runners. Both cities have hosted World Cup fixtures before — Los Angeles memorably staging the 1994 final.

Who Will Reach the Semi-Finals?

The contenders most likely to reach the World Cup 2026 semi-finals are Brazil, Argentina, France, England, Spain and Germany — with dark horses like Portugal, the Netherlands, and potentially a CONCACAF host nation capable of going deep in front of home support. With 48 teams, the path from the group stage to the final is longer than ever, making stamina, squad depth and tactical flexibility even more important.