The 2026 FIFA World Cup has reached its most critical stage, with the semifinal matchups set to begin on Tuesday, July 14, in Dallas and Atlanta. France, led by Kylian Mbappé, will face Spain, while England will take on Lionel Messi’s Argentina — Both matches will air on FOX and stream live on FOX One.

France’s Dominant Run to the Semifinals

France’s path to the semifinals has been largely unchallenging, with the team winning all six of their games and scoring 16 goals; Kylian Mbappé has been the standout player for the French squad, contributing eight goals and three assists so far. His performance has been exceptional, with a remarkable record of 20 goals in 20 appearances across the World Cup.

The French team has shown their dominance in the group stage and knockout rounds, defeating Senegal (3-1), Iraq (3-0), Norway (4-1), and Sweden (3-0). In the round of 16, they edged out Paraguay with a second-half penalty from Mbappé and then comfortably defeated Morocco in the quarterfinals with a 2-0 victory.

Spain’s Defensive Mastery

Spain has been the most defensively sound team at the 2026 World Cup. They won Group H with three clean sheets and continued their strong form in the knockout stages. Spain shut out Austria 3-0 and Portugal 1-0 and held off Belgium 2-1 in the quarterfinals.

Spain’s ability to keep opponents at bay has been a key factor in their success. Their stinginess in defense complements their attacking prowess, making them a formidable opponent for France. Michael Olise leads the tournament in assists with five, but Spain’s overall team cohesion has been serious to their success.

Rest Day and Viewing Information

Monday, July 13, is a scheduled rest day between the quarterfinals and the semifinals. The semifinals will begin on Tuesday with France vs. Spain at 3 p.m. ET in Dallas, followed by England vs. Argentina on Wednesday at the same time in Atlanta. Fans can watch both matches on FOX or stream them live and on demand on FOX One. The final will take place in New York City on Sunday, July 19.

The 2026 World Cup has been a spectacle of high-quality football, with standout players like Mbappé and Messi capturing global attention. The upcoming semifinals promise to be another chapter in the tournament’s thrilling narrative.