The 2026 FIFA World Cup Semifinals narrow the field from four teams down to two. These two matches are among the most watched games of the tournament. The WorldCupPass match calendar lists the Semifinal dates, venues, and kickoff times so fans know exactly when and where to tune in.
The two Semifinal matches take place on consecutive days in mid-July 2026. Spacing them out lets fans watch each game without overlap and gives television networks full coverage of both events. The losing teams in the Semifinals go on to play the third-place match two days before the Final.
Semifinal Venues in 2026
FIFA assigns Semifinal matches to the largest and best-equipped stadiums in the host country. MetLife Stadium and AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas are the two leading Semifinal candidates based on their capacity and infrastructure. Both venues have hosted major events and can handle the demand a World Cup Semifinal brings.
The Semifinal kickoffs typically fall in the late afternoon or early evening local time. A 3 PM or 4 PM ET start puts the game in prime time for European audiences while keeping in-person fans comfortable with afternoon heat in mid-July.
How to Watch the World Cup 2026 Semifinals
US broadcast rights for the 2026 World Cup sit with FOX Sports and Telemundo. Both networks will carry the Semifinal matches with full pre-match and post-match analysis. Streaming options are also available through the networks’ digital platforms for fans who prefer mobile or connected TV viewing.
The High Stakes of the 2026 World Cup Semifinals
The Semifinals in 2026 take place on July 17 and 18 at major US venues. Two matches determine which two nations reach the Final. Each Semifinal winner advances to MetLife Stadium for the championship. Each loser plays the Third Place Match two days later. Teams arriving at the Semifinals have already won at least four consecutive knockout matches. The quality of play at this stage is consistently among the best of the entire tournament.
The 2026 Semifinal schedule gives fans one match per evening across two nights. That spacing allows full attention to each match individually without schedule overlap. Teams competing at this stage carry the tactical expertise to manage a full 90 minutes with precision. Extra time and penalty shootouts are both real possibilities at the Semifinal stage. Follow the Semifinal schedule dates closely and plan your viewing time accordingly.
International broadcast rights vary by country. Most major markets have confirmed rights holders for the tournament. Check the schedule page for updated kickoff times as the Semifinal bracket fills in through the Round of 16 and Quarterfinals in late June and early July.