The 2026 World Cup semifinals kick off with a match between France and Spain, following a new FIFA seeding system introduced for the expanded tournament.
Key facts
- France face Spain in the opening World Cup semifinal.
- The expanded World Cup prompted FIFA to introduce a new seeding system.
- According to NPR, the seeding placed the world's top teams in opposite corners of the knockout bracket.
- NPR describes both semifinals as heavyweight matchups.
The 2026 World Cup has reached its semifinal stage, opening with a match between France and Spain, according to NPR.
This year’s tournament was expanded, a change that led FIFA to introduce a new seeding system. According to NPR, that system placed the world’s top teams in opposite corners of the knockout bracket.
NPR reports that the arrangement produced a pair of semifinals it describes as heavyweight matchups, setting up contests between some of the strongest sides in the competition.
France versus Spain leads off the semifinal round.
Coverage of the tournament has extended beyond the matches themselves. The BBC has run interactive features inviting fans to identify World Cup players.
Why it matters
According to NPR, the new seeding system for the expanded tournament shaped how the top teams were drawn into the knockout bracket, influencing the semifinal matchups that determine which nations advance.
Frequently asked questions
Who is playing in the first World Cup semifinal?
France face Spain in the opening semifinal, according to NPR.
Why did FIFA introduce a new seeding system?
According to NPR, the expanded World Cup allowed FIFA to introduce a new seeding system that placed the world's top teams in opposite corners of the knockout bracket.
Are both semifinals major matchups?
Yes. NPR describes both semifinals as heavyweight matchups.