With 100 matches done, only four games remain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup with the business end of the tournament upon us. The world’s best will clash against each other in the semi-finals as France plays Spain and England renew their heated rivalry with Argentina.
However, the good news for fans of both and their star players like Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal, and Harry Kane is that regardless of the result, the last four clash will not be the last time they play in the tournament.
What Happens To The Losing Semi-Finalist?
Despite the heartbreak of losing the semi-finals and failing to make the final, the two teams will have to stay in the United States of America till Saturday (July 18). Both the losing semi-finalists will play each other in the third-place playoff to decide the bronze medal winners of the tournament. The match will take place at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami at 5:00 PM local (2:30 AM IST).
Meanwhile, the winning semi-finalists will play each other in the final on Sunday (July 19) at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The final will kick off at 3:00 PM local (12:30 AM IST). It will feature a grand halftime show, which lasts 30 minutes and see several performances, which will be headlined by Shakira.
FIFA World Cup Third Place Playoff
While third-place playoffs are common in multisport events like the Olympics, where a bronze medal needs to be given, it is not usually part of individual sporting events. However, the game has been a common practice at the FIFA World Cup since its inception in 1934. The inaugural edition in 1930 and 1950 (when a group stage format was used to determine the winners) are the only exceptions.
Interestingly, among the current semifinalists, France is the only team to win a third-place playoff (1958 and 1986). England have played it twice but lost both times (1990, 2018). Spain and Argentina have never featured in the bronze medal clash.
