World Cup Betting News This Week, | Top Four Make Final Four, Dream Semi-Finals | Match Reports and Analysis | July 13, 2026 |

Johnny Franciscoby Johnny Francisco
Updated: July 14, 2026

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The quarter-finals of the biggest FIFA World Cup in the sport’s history are now behin us. Sixteen sides were eliminated at the conclusion of the group phase, and another twenty-eight have since joined them after defeats in their knockout fixtures. We are down to the final four nations. Four former world champions. Only one of them will add another title to their total tally on Sunday, but before that there is the small matter of the 2026 World Cup Semi-Finals.

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What’s been happening this week?

The knockout rounds so far have borne witness to some extraordinary games of football. After some gruelling, epic battles in the first two knockout rounds, eight teams made it through to the quarter-finals which kicked off last week, starting on Thursday in Boston.

France vs Morocco

France’s serene knockout progress continued as they defeated their North-African opposition by two goals to nil in Massachusetts and Didier Deschamps’ charges are yet to concede in their three knockout fixtures so far.

Morocco had become the first African nation to reach consecutive World Cup quarter-finals by dumping out co-hosts Canada in the previous round. A rematch of of their 2022 semi-final against France awaited and a chance to exact some measure of revenge for defeat that day, but they succumbed by the same scoreline as in Qatar and seldom threatened the French defense.

France settled into the game well and Dayot Upamecano should really have directed his header beyond Morocco’s experienced goalkeeper, Bono. The pattern of proceedings was set early on as the Moroccans defended deep and were extremely reluctant to commit more than a couple of players beyond the halfway line. That approach was vindicated as the first time they did flood the French defensive third with bodies, France nicked possession and immediately countered through Olise and Mbappé. Driving upfield, the pair combined to force a penalty before Morocco had a hope of reforming their defensive shape.

That Mbappé’s penalty was then saved by the penalty expert Bono did little to diminish the sense of threat that he and his attacking colleagues create for France. The French captain joined such luminaries as Lionel Messi and Harry Kane in missing a penalty at this World Cup, but he, like they before him, also made up for the aberation by scoring later in the match.

His opener arrived on the hour after receiving the ball on the edge of the area, spinning and creating enough room for a shot which whipped round Issa Diop, beyond Bono and just inside the post. It was another picturebook goal, his eighth of the tournament.

Morocco never looked to have enough to overturn the defecit, particularly in the absence of first choice centre-forward Ismail Saibari through injury. 2025 Ballon D’Or Ousmane Dembélé was the best player on the pitch in the second half, full of vim and invention, and he crowned his performance with a goal six minutes later which he squeezed into the bottom corner.

France move onto their third consecutive World Cup semi-final.

Spain vs Belgium

Awaiting France would be the winner of this all-European tie, and it was Spain who won out in the end after a tense afternoon in California.

Fabián Ruiz was chosen ahead of Pedri for this one as Spain coach Luis De La Fuente shuffled his pack in midfield, and the decision was vindicated as the PSG midfielder rattled in a loose ball after half an hour to give his side the lead.

The first goal Spain have conceded at this tournament was scored ten minutes later by Charles De Ketelaere as he glanced a header beyond Unai Simon, who this tournament became the first goalkeeper to record six consecutive World Cup clean sheets.

Last minute Spanish goalscoring hero of the previous round, Mikel Merino, repeated the trick this time to capitalise on a rebound from a spilled shot and send Spain to only their second ever World Cup semi-final.

Norway vs England

A first competitive fixture between these two sides in well over thirty years was played out in oppressive heat and humidity in Miami, perhaps responsible for the clunky performances of both sides.

The first shot-on-target of the game came from the head of Erling Haaland ten minutes before the break. That effort was too straight to trouble Pickford in England’s goal, who collected comfortably but seconds later, the ball had been lost again before finding its way out to Norway’s left flank.

Benfica’s Andreas Schjelderup was probably meaning to cross but his attempt at a centre flew in off the post to give Norway a precious lead. Alexander Sorloth squandered two good opportunities in the following minutes and England were looking fragile.

Cue Jude Bellingham and a goal which displayed many of his best qualities: brilliant first touch, balance and an unerring finish. Norway complained that the ball had hit the overhead camera wire in the build-up to the goal which FIFA subsequently denied but England were level.

There was time before the half time whistle for a correctly disallowed Kane goal, and Norway themselves had a goal ruled out after the restart.

Hot and bothered, both sides seemed content with the prospect of extra-time.

Bellingham continued his fine tournament with the winner only three minutes into the additional half hour, reacting quickest after Nyland in the Norway goal had spilled Morgan Rogers’ drive to bury the ball and book a place in England’s fourth World Cup semi-final.

Argentina vs Switzerland

Argentina continue to plot the most tortuous route to the final for the fans as they were taken to extra-time again, but like against Cape Verde in the Round of 32, the World Champions prevailed after another eventful encounter.

The Albiceleste looked to have started well when Alexis Mac Allister rose highest to head home a Lionel Messi corner kick inside ten minutes.

After an incisive Swiss counter, Dan N’Doye gave Lisandro Martinez too much time to thwart him as he bore down on goal, a recovery vigorously celebrated by the diminuitive defender but Ndoye made up for his carelessness later in the half

Combining neatly with Ricardo Rodriguez, Ndoye cut in from the left touchline before slotting a confident finish past Emiliano Martinez in the Argentine goal and Switzerland were level.

But their joy was shortlived as striker Breel Embolo received a second yellow card for simulation after a VAR review and was sent off with twenty minutes of normal time remaining. The Swiss were furious and Embolo distraught as he was restrained and consoled by his teammates before leaving the field.

Messi nearly stole a winner in normal time but extra-time was called to decide the outcome, and it was not until the 112th minute that Julián Álvarez finally gave Argentina a lead they would not surrender. Lautaro Martinez added a third on the counter to set up a mouthwatering semi-final against England.

The biggest World Cup betting soccer storylines this week

  • Neither Haaland, Kane nor Messi added to their goalscoring totals despite high drama in the two games on Saturday. Golden Boot leader Kylian Mbappé had scored his eighth of the tournament before his rivals drew blanks, but Jude Bellingham has thrown his name into the hat for both this prize and the World Cup Golden Ball with his inspirational knockout performances.
  • Spain have finally conceded a goal but it was not enough for Belgium who bow out after a somewhat turbulent time in America
  • Erling Haaland had scored in all the games he had played before the quarter final but was unable to lead Norway past his country of residence and birth. It was his quietest game of the tournament but the Scandinavians leave with their heads held high.
  • England face Argentina on Wednesday for their first meeting of any kind since a thrilling friendly in Geneva in 2005. It is longer still since they met in the group stage of the 2002 World Cup, their last competitive encounter.

Games to keep your eyes on this week

One hundred matches have now been played at the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup, only four remain starting with the two semi-finals on Tuesday and Wednesday.

  • France vs Spain: European rivals and the pre-tournament favorites meet on Tuesday with France looking to make their fourth World Cup Final this century. Spain seek their second.
  • England vs Argentina: A football rivalry forged over decades, woven within it are some of the most iconic World Cup matches of all time. England have won more World Cup games versus Argentina than against any other nation, but the holders have the greatest player of all time. So big is this game, it could well outshine the final.

Futures market and betting trends this week

  • France remain favorites to win the tournament at +140 ahead of England (+310), Spain +320 and reigning champions Argentina who have fallen to +430.
  • Kylian Mbappé is now odds-on to win the Golden Boot for top scorer (-140). Messi is his most likely challenger at +145, and though both have scored eight goals the Frenchman leads the race as he currently has one more assist than Messi.
  • Jude Bellingham now has six goals a this World Cup and those backing him to overtake Messi and Mbappé in the goalscoring stakes can find odds of +2500 on the Englishman doing that. While still long odds, Bellingham is very much in the running for the Golden Ball for best player. He can be found at +440 for that prize though Mbappe (+150) and Messi (+200) also lead the way there.
  • Mike Maignan (+175) in the France goal is the current favorite to win the Golden Glove for best goalkeeper ahead of Unai Simon (+250) of Spain. England’s Jordan Pickford (+390) and Emiliano Martinez (+440) of Argentina are further back.

Previous betting news updates

  • [July 2026]: Top four teams in the FIFA rankings fill out the semi-finals.
  • [July 2026]: Trump taints tournament, but USA out anyway!
  • [July 2026]: Germany and Netherlands shoot home after penalties.
  • [June 2026]: Group phase concludes. South Africa are first team eliminated in the knockouts.
  • [June 2026]: Knockout rounds taking shape. All three hosts are through!
  • [June 2026]: Hosts reach the knockouts. World Cup fever has now set in.
  • [June 2026]: The World Cup begins! Messi becomes the oldest player to score a World Cup hattrick.
  • [May 2026]: Paris Saint-Germain won the Champions League for a second consecutive season.
  • [May 2026]: Arsenal win the Premier League for the first time since 2004.
  • [May 2026]: Liverpool sacked Arne Slot as manager, and have replaced him with Andoni Iraola.
  • [May 2026]: Man Utd have agreed a deal with Atalanta to sign Brazil midfielder Ederson.
  • [June 2026]: Real Madrid have announced the signing of Ibrahima Konate on a free transfer from Liverpool.
  • [June 2026]: Juventus have failed to reach an agreement with Dusan Vlahovic over a new contract, and he will leave for free.

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