Grab your pints and clear your Wednesday evening schedule, because the 2026 FIFA World Cup has reached the final four—and Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions are right in the thick of it.
After a weekend of nerve-wracking quarter-final action, the semi-final lineup is officially locked in. We are now just two games away from ultimate glory, but standing in England’s way is a fiercely familiar foe: Lionel Messi’s Argentina.
Here is your Daily Waffle roundup of exactly how we got here and what to expect as we head into a colossal week of football.
The Bellingham Show: How England Survived Norway
Let’s be honest, Saturday night’s quarter-final against Norway took a few years off all of our lives.
When Andreas Schjelderup put the Norwegians ahead in the 36th minute, the familiar dread started to creep in. But cometh the hour, cometh Jude Bellingham. The Real Madrid superstar dragged England back into the tie, netting a crucial equaliser deep into first-half stoppage time to shift the momentum.
As the match ground its way into extra time, heavy legs and frayed nerves took over the pitch in Miami. But in the 93rd minute, Bellingham struck gold again, sealing a grueling 2-1 victory and keeping the World Cup dream alive. It wasn’t the prettiest 120 minutes of football, but tournament-winning teams find a way to survive.
The Ultimate Grudge Match: England vs. Argentina
You couldn’t write a better script. This Wednesday in Atlanta, England will face defending champions Argentina.
This fixture is drenched in World Cup history—from the “Hand of God” in 1986 to Michael Owen’s wonder goal and David Beckham’s red card in 1998, all the way to Beckham’s penalty redemption in 2002.
Argentina didn’t have an easy ride to the semis either. They were taken to extra time by Switzerland, eventually grinding out a 3-1 win. Lionel Messi, in what is surely his final World Cup, will be desperate to secure back-to-back trophies, while England’s golden generation looks to cement their legacy on the world stage. Both squads will be battling fatigue after 120-minute quarter-finals, making this a true test of squad depth and mental resilience.
The Other Side of the Bracket: France vs. Spain
Before England takes the pitch, we get a mouth-watering European heavyweight clash on Tuesday night. France will take on Spain at the Dallas Stadium. Both teams have looked lethal, and whoever emerges victorious will be watching the England-Argentina match very closely to see who meets them in Sunday’s final.
Your World Cup Semi-Final TV Guide
Both matches are perfectly timed for prime-time UK viewing. Here is when and where you need to be planted on your sofa:
| Date | The Matchup | Kickoff Time (BST) | Venue |
| Tuesday, July 14 | France vs Spain | 20:00 (8:00 PM) | Dallas Stadium, Arlington |
| Wednesday, July 15 | England vs Argentina | 20:00 (8:00 PM) | Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta |
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