World Cup Semifinals Begin This Week as Tournament Reaches Crucial Stage

The FIFA World Cup resumes this week with its most consequential matches yet, as four remaining teams compete in the semifinals. The tournament will feature Spain against France on Tuesday and England facing Argentina on Wednesday, with the winners advancing to the championship match at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Tournament Pause Before Semifinals

The World Cup reaches this critical juncture following the longest scheduled break since the tournament began. For the second consecutive day, no matches are currently on the television schedule, marking a notable pause as the field narrows to eight remaining competitors. The break separates the conclusion of the Round of 16 from the start of the quarterfinal round, allowing teams recovery time before the intensity of knockout play escalates.

Semifinal Matchups and Schedule

Spain will take on France in Dallas at 3 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday, with a trip to the final on the line. England faces Argentina on Wednesday in Atlanta under the same circumstances. These four historic football powers represent the strongest remaining competition in what has become the largest World Cup on record, thanks to the expanded field of 48 teams compared to the traditional 32-team format used in previous tournaments. France's forward Kylian Mbappe has emerged as one of the tournament's standout performers and will lead his team into the matchup against Spain.

Just four games remain in the FIFA event, including the third-place match. The quarterfinal winners will meet in the two semifinal contests scheduled back-to-back, setting up the championship match that will determine the tournament victor. Multiple streaming and broadcasting options are available to viewers, including traditional cable television, streaming services such as YouTube TV and Hulu Plus Live TV, and FOX's direct digital platforms.