World Cup semi-finals: Predictions, best bets and odds

World Cup semi-finals: Predictions, best bets and odds
World Cup semi-finals: Predictions, best bets and oddsAFP

The World Cup 2026 semi-finals will be decided on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. Football betting analyst Frank Monkhouse offers his preview and predictions.

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The World Cup 2026 pack is down to just four teams following a thrilling weekend of action. 

The semi-finals take charge this week, with the opening match on Tuesday at 20:00 BST, followed by the second game 24 hours later.

You can follow the play from Arlington and Atlanta on television and the best live streaming apps. Which two nations will progress to the final and have a shot at lifting the World Cup? 

Markets, odds, and World Cup 2026 betting

The leading online bookmakers featured on this page offer pre-match and live betting on both of the World Cup 2026 semi-finals. You can study the stats, find the best odds, and wager on the results. There’s also a long list of specials, including first goalscorer.

Fancy a free bet on the World Cup winner? Simply choose your preferred sportsbooks from those listed and click the link to create an account. 

When signing up, depositing £10 and placing a qualifying sportsbook bet, you automatically qualify for a welcome bonus free bet. The credits will appear in your balance in plenty of time for Sunday’s final.

Need help uncovering the betting value? Keep reading as trusted football gambling writer Frank Monkhouse offers Flashscore readers his data-led predictions on each match.

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Updated World Cup 2026 outright odds

In addition to a generous list of pre-match betting markets for both semi-finals, lovers of the beautiful game can still enjoy the outright market.

It’s your last chance to call the winner before the final pairing has been decided, taking advantage of attractive odds. Those predicting the champion today will enjoy better odds than bettors who leave it until the fixture has been decided.

Will France go all the way and land the prize? Perhaps you expect Spain to do the business. England is also in the running at this stage, as are the defending champions, Argentina.

Here are the updated World Cup 2026 betting odds:

France @ 6/4 (bet365)

Spain @ 10/3 (bet365)

England @ 10/3 (bet365)

Argentina @ 7/2 (bet365)

France v Spain, Wednesday, 20:00 BST

The first of this week’s World Cup 2026 semi-finals comes from the AT&T Stadium in Arlington. It’s an all-European affair, as Les Bleus play The Red One before a global audience.

France enter as two-time world champions, claiming the title in 1998 and 2018. They were also runners-up in 2006 and 2022 and posted third-place finishes in 1958 and 1986. Regular readers of my football betting previews for Flashscore know I like to place my trust in the trends, which is why I advised sticking with Didier Deschamps and co this summer.

France have reached the previous two finals, and three of the last five. That’s too strong to ignore, suggesting the 2022 runners-up will book their place in the deciding match.

At the 2026 World Cup, Kylian Mbappé and his teammates won Group I by beating Norway, Senegal, and Iraq, scoring 10 goals and conceding two. In the knockout rounds, they beat Sweden 3-0, Paraguay 1-0, and Morocco 2-0. That sturdy backline will be key to any further success France enjoys this month.

Spain enter with confidence

Spain head into Tuesday’s all-or-nothing match with France in high spirits. The Red One famously won the World Cup trophy back in 2010. A 16-year wait is too long for lovers of Spanish football.

Luis de la Fuente’s team got the ball rolling with a draw and two wins to top Group H. They opened with a goalless draw versus Cape Verde, thrashed Saudi Arabia 4-0, and edged Uruguay 1-0. In the knockout rounds, the Spanish eliminated Austria 3-0, Portugal 1-0, and Belgium 2-1 last time out.

This Spanish side boasts a solid defence, an organised midfield, and a lightning-quick attack. They can turn defence into attack in the blink of an eye, and that’s something France must be wary of on Tuesday.

You can back Spain to beat France in 90 minutes, support them to qualify or pick a first scorer. Fabian Ruiz and Mikel Merino got the goals that mattered against the Belgians.

France v Spain H2H

Spain 5-4 France - June 2025

Spain 2-1 France - July 2024

France 2-1 Spain - October 2021

France v Spain predictions

Tuesday’s match brings together two high-profile teams and former winners of this tournament. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see either nation go on to lift the silverware following this weekend’s final.

Both France and Spain build their challenge off a solid defence. They’ve been difficult to break down and are always eager to hit hard on the counter-attack. 

The updated head-to-head stats show that these rivals have met 16 times, with Spain winning eight, France banking six, and two matches ending in a draw.

Spain are no pushover, of course, but I’ve really liked what we’ve seen from France so far, and I’m picking them to beat Spain. Backing France to qualify covers a win in 90 minutes, in extra time, or on penalties. If France beat Spain, you beat the bookies.

Tip: France win @ 8/13 (bet365)

Bet explanation: If France beat Spain to secure yet another World Cup final appearance, your bet wins, and you’ll secure a profit.

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England v Argentina, Wednesday, 20:00 BST

England arrived at World Cup 2026 as one of the early betting favourites with major online sportsbooks. Thomas Tuchel’s team have certainly lived up to the hype so far.

They hit the ground running by winning Group L ahead of Croatia, Ghana, and Panama. Two wins and a draw, with six goals scored and only two conceded, set the bar, ensuring the Three Lions roared into the knockout phase.

When things got serious, this fearless England team delivered. They beat DR Congo 2-1, Mexico 3-2, and Norway 2-1. It’s worth knowing that England needed extra time to see off Haaland and his Norwegian teammates last time.

Schjelderup opened the scoring for Norway on Saturday evening, before Bellingham equalised and notched a winner deep into extra time.

Champions here to defend

Argentina famously defeated France at the 2022 World Cup, meaning they rocked up to this renewal as the team to beat. Will Lionel Messi sign off on a high, helping his team to a remarkable two titles on the bounce? It’s certainly possible.

Lionel Scaloni’s side quickly got down to business at ‘We Are 26’. They won Group J with a perfect three-match record, beating Austria, Algeria, and Jordan, scoring eight goals and conceding only one.

Moving to the knockout rounds with plenty to spare, Argentina beat Cape Verde 3-2 before taking down Egypt by the same scoreline. In the quarter-finals, they scored another three goals, beating Switzerland 3-1. Incredibly, Argentina haven’t yet hit top gear.

With three knockout rounds complete and Argentina building an aggregate score of 9-5, I have no hesitation in saying this match will be a worthy semi-final and will live long in the memory of football fans and armchair followers.

England v Argentina H2H

England 3-2 Argentina - November 2005

England 1-0 Argentina - June 2002

England 0-0 Argentina - February 2000

England v Argentina predictions

The head-to-head stats available on Flashscore show these nations have met 13 times, with England winning six, Argentina claiming two, and five matches ending in a draw. The most recent was a 3-2 friendly win in 2005. 

The latest addition to the H2H was more than 10 years ago, meaning we won’t spend too long dissecting the numbers. Instead, we’ll build our base on the solid foundations of the form. Recent results show how these rivals have been performing this summer.

Argentina kept a clean sheet in their first two group games, but conceded one goal to Jordan, two against Cape Verde, and another couple when playing Egypt. In the quarters, Argentina beat Switzerland 3-1.

Both teams approach this match believing they can win. I picked England to perform well back at the start of the 2026 World Cup and won’t abandon them now.

England and Argentina are two skilled, organised, and attacking teams, but the Three Lions have been a touch more united. We saw them fight back from a goal down to beat Norway. 

England to qualify @ 8/11 (bet365)

Bet explanation: England must secure their place in this weekend’s World Cup final. They can win in normal time, extra time, or on penalties.

Betting on World Cup 2026

FIFA 2026 World Cup takes place from June 11th to July 19th across the United States, Canada and Mexico. You'll find some of the best promotions and bonuses on the market on Flashscore! 

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