{"id":934760,"date":"2026-07-14T17:40:35","date_gmt":"2026-07-14T17:40:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/934760\/"},"modified":"2026-07-14T17:40:35","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T17:40:35","slug":"world-cup-2026-semifinals-live-updates-schedule-how-to-watch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/934760\/","title":{"rendered":"World Cup 2026 semifinals live updates: Schedule, how to watch"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Swanson: Trump\u2019s World Cup meddling only made matters worse for rattled U.S. squad <\/p>\n

\"U.S. <\/p>\n

U.S. goalkeeper Matt Freese sits on the field after a 4-1 loss to Belgium in the round of 16 at the World Cup on Monday in Seattle.<\/p>\n

(Allen J. Schaben \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

SEATTLE\u00a0\u2014\u00a0Is everybody happy now? You good, Mr. President?<\/p>\n

Put our boys in a blender, President Trump did<\/a>, with those phone calls to FIFA President Gianni Infantino<\/a>. Messed with their mojo by politicking to get American striker Folarin Balogun\u2019s red card rescinded<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Trump struck out on all his appeals seeking to overturn the 2020 election results, but he can boast that he had a hand in getting a decision overturned in the 2026 World Cup.<\/p>\n

Searching for acceptance: How the World Cup drove Mexican Americans back to their roots <\/p>\n

\"Brian <\/p>\n

Brian Gutierrez, right, a Mexican American born in Illinois, played for Mexico\u2019s national team during the World Cup. <\/p>\n

(Natacha Pisarenko \/ Associated Press)<\/p>\n

MEXICO CITY\u00a0\u2014\u00a0Mexico\u2019s improbable World Cup run ended Sunday with a loss to England, but it didn\u2019t keep the team\u2019s heart and tenacity from delivering one success: <\/p>\n

A notable increase in Mexican Americans venturing south to reconnect with their roots, language and culture, according to longtime observers and travel figures.<\/p>\n

The trend, which emerged long before the World Cup<\/a>, gained intensity against the backdrop of uncertainty in the United States generated by what many see as an anti-immigrant climate fueled by the Trump administration\u2019s crackdown on immigration. <\/p>\n

What are your most cherished memories of the 2026 World Cup in L.A.? <\/p>\n

\"A <\/p>\n

(Photo illustration by Tate Rudisill \/ Los Angeles Times; photos by Allen J. Schaben \/ Los Angeles Times, Ronaldo Bolanos \/ Los Angeles Times, Robert Gauthier \/ Los Angeles Times and Kelvin Kuo \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

My favorite memory of the 2026 World Cup happened last month. By the late morning of June 18 in Koreatown, hours ahead of the Mexico vs. South Korea group-stage match, it was apparent that the neighborhood would be unrecognizable by kickoff.<\/p>\n

I had heard rumblings about the Korean Festival Foundation\u2019s watch party, but once I found out it would take place at Seoul International Park, I was almost dissuaded entirely. Although it is the beloved destination of my dog\u2019s morning walks, its insignificant size and awkward location just off Olympic Boulevard didn\u2019t seem appropriate for such a coveted event. So, I went to scout it out beforehand \u2014 and I almost couldn\u2019t believe my eyes. There were already about 100 to 200 fans in the park, about six hours before the first whistle; laughing, drinking, lending a hand to vendor setups.<\/p>\n

Swanson: SoFi Stadium proves to be one of the biggest stars of the 2026 World Cup <\/p>\n

\"Spain <\/p>\n

SoFi Stadium hosted its last game of the World Cup on Friday, a quarterfinal victory for Spain over Belgium.<\/p>\n

(David M. Barreda\/Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

Erling Haaland and SoFi Stadium, ladies and gentlemen. Your breakout stars of the World Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve all fallen for the blond forward who has rowed Norway to its first World Cup quarterfinal berth \u2014 and also for SoFi Stadium<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Or \u201cLos Angeles Stadium,\u201d FIFA\u2019s designation for the $5.5-billion architectural masterpiece that welcomed the world to Inglewood.<\/p>\n

I cover Rams and Chargers games there regularly, but the World Cup changed how I feel about the place. It has more soul now, more character.<\/p>\n

Seven reasons why U.S. men\u2019s soccer keeps crashing out of the World Cup <\/p>\n

\"U.S. <\/p>\n

U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino waves to the crown after a 4-1 loss to Belgium in the round of 16 at the World Cup in Seattle on July 6.<\/p>\n

(Allen J. Schaben \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

Before this summer\u2019s World Cup<\/a>, FIFA asked the 48 participating teams to provide a list of songs to be played during warmups and goal celebrations and, if appropriate, after victories. On the U.S. list was John Denver\u2019s \u201cTake Me Home, Country Roads<\/a>,\u201d which quickly became the anthem of the team\u2019s run through the tournament.<\/p>\n

A more appropriate choice would have been the Buzzcocks\u2019 \u201cSixteen Again,\u201d<\/a> because once again that\u2019s where the Americans\u2019 World Cup ended<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In the round of 16. Again.<\/p>\n

This was supposed to be the year the U.S. broke through. With a roster full of players from major European teams and 13 who were World Cup veterans, a lack of quality and experience no longer were valid excuses.<\/p>\n

Paraguayan senator demands apology from Kylian Mbapp\u00e9 for his response to her racist posts <\/p>\n

\"A <\/p>\n

France\u2019s Kylian Mbapp\u00e9 scores from the penalty spot for the only goal of his team\u2019s 1-0 World Cup victory against Paraguay on Saturday in Philadelphia.<\/p>\n

(Matt Slocum \/ Associated Press)<\/p>\n

A Paraguayan senator has deleted social media posts that included racist remarks about French soccer superstar Kylian Mbapp\u00e9<\/a> that led to Paris prosecutors opening an investigation into possible aggravated public insult and incitement to hatred or violence.<\/p>\n

Celeste Amarilla, a 61-year-old senator from Paraguay\u2019s Liberal Radical Party, indicated in an open letter<\/a> to Mbapp\u00e9 on Monday that she regretted the comments she posted following Paraguay\u2019s 1-0 loss to France<\/a> in a World Cup<\/a> knockout game on Saturday.<\/p>\n

In the same letter, however, Amarilla threatened to take legal action if Mbapp\u00e9 did not retract and apologize for comments he made in response to one of her posts.<\/p>\n

How VAR, a system designed to correct errors, became this World Cup\u2019s biggest villain <\/p>\n

\"Croatia's <\/p>\n

Croatia\u2019s Igor Matanovic (20) kneels after his team lost to Portugal and was eliminated from the World Cup on July 2. After VAR review, the referee overturned a Croatia goal that would have tied the game and possibly altered the outcome.<\/p>\n

(Sam Balkansky \/ Associated Press)<\/p>\n

Croatia\u2019s World Cup<\/a> was seconds away from being over and Portugal was seconds away from the round of 16 when Ivan Perisic sent a long, desperate cross into the penalty area. The ball bounced off bodies like a pinball before magically, unbelievably, caroming into the net.<\/p>\n

Gooooooallllllll!!!!<\/p>\n

Fate had given Croatia a reprieve. <\/p>\n

But as pandemonium broke out in the stands and on the pitch, Norwegian referee Espen Eskas stood in the middle of the celebration in Toronto, hand to his ear, listening to a voice half a continent away in Dallas. <\/p>\n

News Analysis: Mexico wins back fans but is still searching for ways to pass familiar World Cup wall <\/p>\n

\"Mexico <\/p>\n

Mexico players cry and embrace after they lost to England at Azteca Stadium on July 5, ending their World Cup run.<\/p>\n

(Silvia Izquierdo \/ Associated Press)<\/p>\n

MEXICO CITY\u00a0\u2014\u00a0After what may have been the most important game in the Mexican national team\u2019s World Cup<\/a> history, coach Javier Aguirre hugged each of his 26 players.<\/p>\n

The embraces weren\u2019t to celebrate a victory. They were hugs of gratitude, encouragement and, above all, resignation.<\/p>\n

Minutes earlier, the players paraded around Azteca Stadium \u2014 traditionally an impenetrable fortress \u2014 to applaud El Tri fans with tears in their eyes. Mexico had just lost 3-2 to England<\/a>, extinguishing the hope that it could parlay its World Cup co-host role into the deepest tournament run in the country\u2019s history.<\/p>\n

Why not them? Disappointed U.S. players hope their World Cup run inspired future stars <\/p>\n

\"U.S. <\/p>\n

U.S. defender Tim Ream (13), with midfielder Malik Tillman and forward Folarin Balogun, reacts after Belgium scored during their World Cup match at Lumen Field in Seattle on Monday.<\/p>\n

(Robert Gauthier\/Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

SEATTLE\u00a0\u2014\u00a0Last fall, in an effort to inspire a national soccer team lacking in confidence and belief, coach Mauricio Pochettino<\/a> came up with a slogan for this summer\u2019s World Cup<\/a>, one the U.S. would be playing at home.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy not us?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

Why couldn\u2019t the U.S. make a deep run in the tournament? Why couldn\u2019t the U.S. compete with the best teams in the world? Why not us?<\/p>\n

Monday he got his answer: Because the U.S. just isn\u2019t good enough.<\/p>\n

Mikel Merino lifts Spain over Belgium, setting up World Cup showdown with France <\/p>\n

\"Spain <\/p>\n

Spain midfielder Rodri, left, and Belgium midfielder Kevin De Bruyne battle for the ball during Spain\u2019s 2-1 win in the World Cup quarterfinals at SoFi Stadium on Friday.<\/p>\n

(Robert Gauthier \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

If Mikel Merino is sleeping, please don\u2019t wake him. If the last week has been a dream, he\u2019d just as soon keep dreaming.<\/p>\n

Because on Friday, for the second time in five days, Merino came off the bench for the final five minutes of a World Cup<\/a> knockout game and scored the winning goal, the latest lifting Spain to a 2-1 victory<\/a> over Belgium and into next week\u2019s semifinal against France in Arlington, Texas.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot even in my wildest dreams could I have imagined what\u2019s happening right now, right?\u201d Merino said in Spanish. \u201cHonestly, it\u2019s crazy.\u201d<\/p>\n

World Cup semifinals schedule: Start times for every match and how to watch <\/p>\n

\"Argentina's <\/p>\n

Argentina\u2019s Lionel Messi controls the ball during a win over Switzerland in the World Cup quarterfinals on Saturday. Argentina plays England in the semifinals on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

(Charlie Riedel \/ Associated Press)<\/p>\n

The 2026 FIFA World Cup<\/a> semifinals are set to start, with France taking on Spain and defending champion Argentina facing England.<\/p>\n

World Cup co-hosts U.S.<\/a>, Canada<\/a> and Mexico<\/a> will be watching from the sideline after being eliminated in the round of 16.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s everything you need to know about the two World Cup matches being played Tuesday and Wednesday (all times Pacific).<\/p>\n

Looking back at the first 30 days of the World Cup <\/p>\n

The first 30 days of the 2026 FIFA World Cup offered plenty of memorable moments.<\/p>\n

Check out The Times\u2019 daily recaps ahead of Tuesday\u2019s semifinal match between France and Spain:<\/p>\n

Show more <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Swanson: Trump\u2019s World Cup meddling only made matters worse for rattled U.S. squad U.S. goalkeeper Matt Freese sits…\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":934761,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[5123],"tags":[1582,276,357473,2385,156,2961,224,2444,5337,171514,50,72266,16495,76905,128,637,5618,20812,21490],"class_list":["post-934760","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-los-angeles","tag-ca","tag-california","tag-daily-recap","tag-day","tag-france","tag-la","tag-los-angeles","tag-los-angeles-times","tag-losangeles","tag-memorable-moment","tag-news","tag-plenty","tag-schedule","tag-semifinal","tag-spain","tag-times","tag-tuesday","tag-update","tag-world-cup"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/116919564682707293","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/934760","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=934760"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/934760\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/934761"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=934760"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=934760"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=934760"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}