2026 FIFA World Cup Semifinals: Teams, Schedule, Bracket & Format

The 2026 FIFA World Cup semifinals feature four elite teams competing on July 14-15, 2026. Both matches take place in the United States at two spectacular stadiums. This represents the penultimate stage where dreams of championship glory remain alive.

Each semifinal match is do-or-die with no second chances. Teams play 90 minutes with extra time and penalties if needed. Winners advance to the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19. Losers compete for third place on July 18 in Miami.

The road to the semifinals requires incredible effort. Teams must survive the group stage and win three consecutive knockout matches. The Round of 32, Round of 16 and quarterfinals all must be conquered. Only four teams from the original 48 reach this stage.

Both semifinal venues offer world-class facilities and passionate atmospheres. AT&T Stadium in Dallas hosts the first semifinal on July 14. Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta hosts the second semifinal on July 15. These stadiums normally host NFL teams but will showcase the world’s best soccer.

How does the Semifinals Round Work (Format)

The semifinals use single-elimination format. Four teams enter and only two advance to the final. Each match produces one winner and eliminates one team.

A match lasts 90 minutes split into two 45-minute halves. Tied matches go to 30 minutes of extra time with two 15-minute periods. Penalty shootouts decide the winner if teams remain level after extra time. Each team takes five penalties and continues in sudden death if tied.

FIFA set the semifinal bracket before the tournament starts. The bracket connects directly to the quarterfinal results. Quarterfinals 1 and 2 winners meet in Semifinal 1 on July 14 in Dallas. Quarterfinals 3 and 4 winners meet in Semifinal 2 on July 15 in Atlanta.

Teams must complete multiple steps to reach the semifinals. First they advance from group stage by finishing top two or ranking among the eight best third-place teams. Then they win their Round of 32 match from June 28 to July 3. Next they win their Round of 16 match from July 4-7. Finally they win their quarterfinal match from July 9-11.

The 2026 format requires teams to play eight total matches to win the championship. This is one more than previous tournaments. The semifinals arrive after teams already played six matches. Physical conditioning and squad depth become crucial factors at this stage.

World Cup Semifinals Teams

The four semifinalists will be confirmed after quarterfinal matches end on July 11, 2026. As of November 2025, 34 of 48 World Cup spots are filled.

Currently Qualified Teams

• Host Nations (3): United States, Canada, Mexico
• Europe (12 confirmed, 4 more coming): Austria, Belgium, Croatia, England, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Scotland, Spain, Switzerland
• South America (6): Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Uruguay, Ecuador, Paraguay
• Asia (8): Japan, South Korea, Iran, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, Uzbekistan
• Africa (9): Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Ivory Coast, Ghana, South Africa, Cape Verde
• Oceania (1): New Zealand
• Remaining 14 spots: Four through UEFA playoffs in March 2026. Three through CONCACAF qualifying. Two through inter-confederation playoffs. Five more European spots being contested.

Top Championship Contenders

Argentina enters as defending champions after winning in Qatar 2022. They dominated South American qualifying and field a perfect blend of experience and youth. Brazil owns five World Cup titles and always peaks during tournaments. France won in 2018 and reached the 2022 final with their talented squad.

England qualified perfectly with eight straight wins and zero goals conceded. Germany brings four World Cup titles and consistently performs in big tournaments. Spain plays beautiful possession football while Portugal relies on attacking weapons.

Morocco shocked everyone by reaching 2022 semifinals. They proved African teams belong at the highest level. Japan defeated Germany and Spain in 2022 group stage showing Asian football continues improving.

2026 FIFA World Cup Semifinals Schedule

Date	Teams	Match	Time (EST)	Stadium
Mon, Jul 14	Winner QF 1 vs Winner QF 2	101	TBD	AT&T Stadium, Arlington (Dallas)
Tue, Jul 15	Winner QF 3 vs Winner QF 4	102	TBD	Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta

AT&T Stadium in Arlington hosts Semifinal 1 on July 14. This Dallas-area venue opened in 2009 at a cost of $1.3 billion. The Dallas Cowboys play here during NFL season. The stadium features a retractable roof and climate control for perfect conditions. A massive HD screen hangs from the ceiling creating an incredible viewing experience. Capacity reaches between 80,000 and 92,967 making it the largest semifinal venue. AT&T Stadium hosts nine total World Cup matches which is more than any other venue.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta hosts Semifinal 2 on July 15. This spectacular venue opened in 2017 at a cost of $1.6 billion. The stadium serves as home to the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United FC. The unique pinwheel-style retractable roof creates a distinctive look. A circular LED scoreboard measuring 58 feet by 1,100 feet surrounds the field. Glass walls open to allow fresh air flow. Capacity ranges from 71,000 to 83,000 fans. Mercedes-Benz Stadium hosts eight total World Cup matches.

FIFA will announce exact kickoff times after the December 5, 2025 group stage draw. Expect kickoffs between 3:00 PM and 8:00 PM local time. Times accommodate both stadium attendance and global television audiences.

The two winners advance to the World Cup Final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The two losers play the third-place match on July 18 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

World Cup 2026 Semifinals Bracket (Current Scenario)

FIFA predetermined the complete knockout bracket before the tournament begins. The bracket runs from Round of 32 through the final based on group results.

The quarterfinals from July 9-11 directly feed into the semifinals. Quarterfinal 1 at Gillette Stadium on July 9 and Quarterfinal 2 at SoFi Stadium on July 10 produce the two teams for Semifinal 1 in Dallas. Quarterfinal 3 and Quarterfinal 4 both on July 11 at Hard Rock Stadium and Arrowhead Stadium produce the two teams for Semifinal 2 in Atlanta.

This bracket structure means teams in the upper half cannot meet teams in the lower half until the final. Strong teams placed in the same bracket half must eliminate each other before reaching the championship match. The bracket creates a clear path showing exactly which quarterfinal winners meet in each semifinal.

Reaching the semifinals requires winning five total matches. Three group stage matches must be won or tied to accumulate enough points to advance. Then four consecutive knockout victories are required. The Round of 32, Round of 16, quarterfinals and semifinals all must be conquered.

How to Get World Cup 2026 Semifinals Matches Tickets

FIFA runs all official ticket sales through FIFA.com/tickets. This is the only legitimate way to buy tickets.

FIFA opens ticket sales in phases starting about one year before the tournament. Early phases use a lottery system where fans submit applications during a specific window. FIFA randomly picks applications and offers tickets to selected fans. Later phases work on first-come first-served for remaining tickets.

Semifinal tickets will be extremely difficult to obtain. These matches rank among the absolute most popular of the entire tournament. Only four teams remain competing for championship glory. Demand vastly exceeds supply at this stage.

Expected Prices

FIFA has not announced prices yet. Based on past tournaments, standard semifinal tickets probably start around $300-600 USD minimum. Premium seats could reach $800-1,500 USD or more. Major venues like AT&T Stadium may command premium pricing.

Category 1 seats have the best views and highest prices. Category 2 and 3 seats offer mid-range views at moderate prices. Category 4 seats sit higher up but cost significantly less.

Purchasing Process

Fans need a free FIFA Ticketing Account at FIFA.com. Create your account early with complete information and payment details ready. During lottery phases submit applications for preferred matches and seat categories.

FIFA emails successful applicants who then have limited time to pay and confirm purchases. Missing the deadline means losing the tickets. Later phases let fans purchase available tickets immediately when sales open.

FIFA bans reselling tickets above face value. Caught resellers lose their tickets without refunds. Only FIFA’s official transfer platform allows legitimate ticket transfers. Tickets arrive as mobile tickets on the FIFA Ticketing App. Each ticket needs valid ID matching the holder’s name.

Register your account immediately with all information ready. Apply for multiple matches to boost your chances. Be flexible on seat categories. Watch FIFA’s official emails for sales dates. Book hotels and flights months ahead since host cities fill up fast.

WC 2026 Semifinals FAQs