गृहपृष्ठ ∕ Sports ∕ World Cup semi-final showdown set after Argentina victory Sports World Cup semi-final showdown set after Argentina victory KathmanduPati July 12, 2026 Kathmandu- The semi-final lineup for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been confirmed after Argentina defeated Switzerland 3-1 in the final quarterfinal securing the last remaining place in the tournament’s final four.The completion of the quarterfinal stage has taken the World Cup into its decisive phase with Argentina, England, Spain and France advancing to the semi-finals. All four remaining teams have won the FIFA World Cup at least once.Argentina booked its semi-final berth with goals from Alexis Mac Allister, Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez against Switzerland.England also progressed after defeating Norway by 2-1 in another quarterfinal. Spain and France had earlier secured their places in the last four by defeating Belgium and Morocco respectively.The first semi-final will see Spain face France on Wednesday at 12:45 am (Nepal time). France won the FIFA World Cup in 1998 and 2018 while Spain lifted its only World Cup title in 2010.The second semi-final will feature defending champion Argentina against England on Thursday at 12:45 am (Nepal time). Argentina has won the World Cup three times in 1978, 1986 and 2022, while England claimed its only title in 1966.Argentina enters the match seeking to defend its World Cup crown for a second consecutive tournament while England aims to return to the top of world football after nearly six decades.The 2026 FIFA World Cup final is scheduled to be played on July 19 at New Jersey Stadium in New York. The two semi-final matches will determine which teams advance to compete for football’s biggest prize. Write your comments RELATED NEWS FIFA dismisses Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour Bablu Shiwakoti selected as Asian games Taekwondo official Nepal intensifies Asian games preparations with overseas camps FIFA withdraws world cup commercial stake sale plan ICC confirms schedule for 2027 world cup qualifier Rodri Wins golden ball, Mbappe retains golden boot Top Headlines Monsoon is predictable and Nepal’s disaster response should be too1 When the State Pulls the Trigger, Who Answers ?2 Before the Ballots: How Oli Lost the Political Narrative3 Promotion Linked to Future Military Leadership: Major General Magar Could Become Army Chief4 Nepal’s Political Renaissance: The rise of the RSP, the re-ordering of the old political order and the political path forward5 Nepal “a Buffer State”: Rethinking foreign policy in relative terms6 Balen’s Silence Has Invited Curiosity, Confusion, and Concerns7 Jagdamba Group Chairman Shankar Agrawal Arrested8 TRENDING Pathao, Tootle resume ride sharing services after authorities relax lockdown National Poet Madhav Prasad Ghimire no more Public Relations for a Soldier Nepal Army initiates investigation into case of financial irregularities by Lieutenant Colonel Janmat Karki Hungry people out on streets, but the government nowhere to be seen The FinCEN Files: Nepali banks and companies transact billions of rupees through dubious channels The envisioned Defense University and its rationale Empowering the Journey of Digital Nepal Through Connectivity and Data
