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Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina is thrown in the air by teammates after the 3-2 victory during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Argentina and Egypt at Atlanta Stadium on July 07, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. Justin Setterfield/Getty Images hide caption
The following was originally published in the Up First newsletter as part of the NPR Network's coverage of the World Cup, Soccer Edition. For more updates from Juliana throughout the games, subscribe to Up First, or check out the new World Cup tab in the NPR app.
We're at the final stretch of the World Cup. It feels like just yesterday, international fans were arriving in the U.S. and marveling at Buc-ee's and unlimited free soda.
The semi-finals are:
By Wednesday night, we'll know who's heading to the final, which is this Sunday at 3 pm EST in New Jersey.
Here's what to know about the teams going into the last four games:
Kylian Mbappe #10 of France celebrates the team's 1-0 victory in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Paraguay and France at Philadelphia Stadium on July 04, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Buda Mendes/Getty Images hide caption
Last World Cup trophy: 2018
Soccer Edition France downs Morocco 2-0 to advance to the World Cup semifinal Reaching the final will be a chance at rewriting history for France. The team made it to the last match in 2022 but lost to Argentina.
This time, France has returned with a vengeance — particularly thanks to Kylian Mbappé, who's responsible for eight goals.
Lamine Yamal #19 of Spain looks on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter Final match between Spain and Belgium at Los Angeles Stadium on July 10, 2026 in Inglewood, California. Carl Recine/Getty Images hide caption
Last World Cup trophy: 2010
One of the tournament's highlights has been watching Spain's 19-year-old star Lamine Yamal take on titan after titan. Now, his team is facing its biggest contender yet.
While this will be the first time Yamal and Mbappé are battling at the World Cup, the two have played against each other before. Most recently, in 2024, when Yamal helped his team come out on top.
England's midfielder #10 Jude Bellingham celebrates after scoring the equalising goal during the 2026 World Cup football tournament quarter-final match between Norway and England at Miami Stadium in Miami Gardens on July 11, 2026. PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
Last World Cup trophy: 1966
Soccer Edition In a nailbiter, England moves on to the World Cup semifinals, defeating Norway 2-1 A trip to the final would perhaps be sweetest for England. The team hasn't won a World Cup in 60 years — despite reaching the quarter or semi-finals multiple times since then.
Nearly all of England's goals were made to Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane. My eyes will be on the duo and my ears on the fans in case they sing "Hey Jude" like they did at the last game.
Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter Final match between Argentina and Switzerland at Kansas City Stadium on July 11, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. Carl Recine/Getty Images hide caption
Last World Cup trophy: 2022
All eyes are on Argentina to see if the team can be the first to win the World Cup back-to-back in decades. To do so, the defending champion will face England. The two haven't competed on the global stage in 24 years. "It'll be a special match because I've never played against England," Lionel Messi told FIFA.
What we know for sure: Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira and BTS will be there, performing at the World Cup's first-ever final half-time show.
What else to watch this week:
🎉 The global sleepover at our house is wrapping up. So many international visitors from across the globe visiting cities coast to coast, has left many feeling like this summer has been one big party at our place. For immigrant communities in New York, it's been a welcome respite.
💻 The World Cup has been the perfect distraction for so many it has actually cut into the productivity of the global economy. While some are watching to see if it bounces back, we're curious what will bring us together and captivate our collective attention next?
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