World Cup Semi Final Dates, Venue & Kick Off Times

World Cup Semi-Final Schedule at a Glance

There were eight nations competing for a spot in the 2026 World Cup semi-finals, and the teams that qualified were determined after the World Cup quarter-finals ended on 11 July 2026. In this table, we highlight the World Cup semi-final match schedule and the UK kick-off times. We’ve also included the dates for the third-place playoff and World Cup final.

Both World Cup semi-final UK kick-off times are at 8:00pm (BST) on Tuesday and Wednesday. For betting angles and market breakdowns for each fixture, see our World Cup semi-final betting guide. And unlike in the World Cup quarter-finals, which run back-to-back, there are a couple of days between the World Cup semi-final and the third-place playoffs as well as the World Cup final.

World Cup Semi-Final Fixtures

Semi-Final 1: France vs Spain, Arlington (Dallas), Tuesday 14 July

France and Spain are the first teams to qualify for the World Cup semi-finals after France’s 2-0 win against Morocco and Spain’s 2-1 win against Belgium. These two Europe teams are set to renew their football rivalries in the World Cup 2026 semi-final. The semi-final match takes place on Tuesday, 14 July (at 8:00pm (BST) UK time) at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, with a spot in the 2026 World Cup final at stake.

To reach the 2026 World Cup semi-final, France has largely relied on defensive solidarity through the tournament. The team has conceded very few goals and has gradually grown into the competition. Its star player Kylian Mbappe continues to lead the attack alongside experienced players like Dayot Upamecano, Theo Hernandez, and Aurelien Tchouameni.

Spain, on the other hand, impresses with its possession-based football and youthful energy. Lamine Yamal continues his remarkable rise on the biggest stage, while midfielders Dani Olmo and Fabian Ruiz provided creativity behind an organised defence from Aymeric Laporte and teenage defender Pau Cubarsi.

The two teams have played against each other 38 times in major competitions, and Spain has won 18 times. But even though Spain has a superior head-to-head record, France has had the upper hand in recent major tournament meetings.

In their World Cup 2026 semi-final meeting, the winner will advance to play the World Cup final on 19 July, while the losing side will play in the third-place play-off on 18 July. And with both teams among the pre-tournament favourites, we expect their semi-final fixture to be one of the most competitive matches of the tournament. For the latest odds and a breakdown of what is shaping the prices, see our World Cup semi-final odds guide.

Semi-Final 2: England vs Argentina, Atlanta, Wednesday 15 July

England will face the defending World Cup champion, Argentina, in the second World Cup semi-final at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. This match will take place on Wednesday, 15 July at 8:00pm (BST) UK time. The teams have an intense history between them, and the 2026 World Cup semi-final will be the sixth World Cup meeting between the two nations.

England and Argentina have already met five times at the World Cup. They met in 1962, 1966, 1986, 1998 and 2002. In those meetings, England holds the edge in the all-time series with three wins, while Argentina has one victory and one draw. The tie was later decided on penalties, with Argentina advancing to the next round.

Their most recent World Cup meeting came in the group stage of the 2002 tournament in South Korea and Japan. During the fixture, David Beckham’s successful penalty helped England achieve a 1-0 win against Argentina. England’s win also played a major role in Argentina’s group-stage elimination.

In the 2026 World Cup, Argentina has displayed strong defence and resilience in the knockout matches, forcing most matches to extra time. England’s strengths in the tournament include counter-attacking speed and side-piece threats.

If you are still looking for a bookmaker to use for the semi-finals, our guide to the best World Cup betting sites covers the top UK options

What Time Are the Semi-Finals in the UK?

The first World Cup 2026 semi-final kicks off at 8:00pm (BST) in UK time on Tuesday, 14 July. In US local time, it’ll be 3:00pm US Eastern Time. The match is being played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Dallas, United States, which seats over 100,000 fans. We’ll see France play against Spain for a chance to advance to the biggest event of the tournament, the World Cup final.

The UK kick-off time for the second World Cup semi-final is also at 8:00pm (BST) on Wednesday, 15 July. This major World Cup fixture between England and Argentina takes place in Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, and it will be 3:00pm (Eastern Time) in the United States when the game begins.]

Note that the UK kick-off times for both semi-final matches are 8:00pm (BST) on consecutive days. Compared to the US local time (Eastern Time) at the match venues, there is a five-hour difference, which many fans tend to confuse. Checking the wrong kick-off time can even make you miss a World Cup match you were highly anticipating to watch.

So, while it'll already be daytime in Dallas and Atlanta when the semi-final matches start, it’ll already be 8:00pm in the evening in the UK. For those who’ll be travelling during these major World Cup matches and don’t want to miss out on the action, we recommend that you set an alarm so you can know when to start streaming or watching the semi-finals. If you have not yet signed up with a bookmaker ahead of the semi-finals, our World Cup free bets page covers every current UK promotion in one place.

Where to Watch the Semi-Finals in the UK

The 2026 World Cup semi-finals will be fully free-to-air in the UK, and you can watch the matches on BBC and ITV. Both networks share broadcasting rights for the semi-finals, and each will broadcast one World Cup semi-final match; the matches will be available on the broadcaster’s TV channels and streaming platforms. 

BBC broadcasts the first World Cup semi-final match between France and Spain on 14 July. Meanwhile, ITV covers the second match, between England and Argentina on 15 July.

You can stream the France vs Spain World Cup semi-final match in UHD, which offers a better viewing and streaming experience if you have a 4K screen or BBC iPlayer at no cost. The BBC also provides comprehensive coverage on BBC Radio 5 Live and the BBC Sport website with live text commentary. This makes it easy to follow matches even when a screen is not available. The BBC Sport websites also feature ‘3D experiences,’ which let you switch camera angles, trace team setups, and check player data while the game is running. If close to a TV, you can watch the game on BBC TV channels such as BBC One, BBC Two, and BBC Three, among other BBC TV channels.

Watching the second semi-final match between England and Argentina is also easy. You can watch the game on ITV1, ITV4, and STV.  ITVX and ITV Sport online platforms also offer UHD streaming of the World Cup semi-final match for free, allowing you to catch every action.

While it’s not necessary if you can access free-to-air options like BBC and ITV, you can also watch the World Cup Semi-final on paid TV and streaming platforms. For instance, you can watch the games on Sky Glass and Sky Q boxes if you have an active subscription. These platforms offer 4K Ultra HD viewing, as well as interactive features and the ability to pause and rewind matches live on your TV. Another paid option you can use is Virgin TV 360, and it also provides enhanced viewing capabilities for Virgin Media subscribers.

Our guide on how to watch the World Cup live covers all the free TV, streaming, and mobile options across the tournament.

What Happens After the Semi-Finals

Once the 2026 World Cup semi-finals conclude on 15 July, the tournament enters the last and most anticipated and watched stage. The World Cup final. Nations that win individual semi-final fixtures proceed to the World Cup final, where they get to compete for the World Cup trophy. While reaching the semifinals guarantees a silver medal, only the nation that wins the final match is crowned the World Cup champion. 

The World Cup final will be held on Sunday, 19 July at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. It kicks off at 8:00pm BST in the UK. That is 3:00pm (Eastern Time) in the US.

The team that loses the semi-finals will also meet for a third-place play-off on Saturday, July 18 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. The kick-off time for the match is 10:00pm (BST) in the UK, and the fixture will decide which nation finishes third and fourth in the 2026 World Cup. And although the play-off has no bearing on who wins the World Cup trophy, it still carries meaningful rewards such as FIFA prize money, ranking points, and the symbolic prize of a bronze medal.

Compared to other World Cup stages that run back to back, there is a resting period of a couple of days before the third play-off and the final. And if the matches are level after 90 minutes of play, a 30-minute extra time and a penalty shootout help find the winners. Our World Cup knockout stage betting guide explains how settlement works across extra time and penalty markets in full.