It's that time again - the moment of truth is just around the corner! BBC Sport football expert Chris Sutton has had a crack at predicting who'll make it to the final four in the 2026 World Cup, and he's tipping France to take on Spain in the blockbuster semi-final showdown. With Sutton set to bring his trademark passion and expertise to live commentary for BBC Radio 5 Live from Dallas, it's clear this clash will be one for the ages.
The stage is set for a mouth-watering match-up between two of world football's heavyweights, with France taking on Spain in the first semi-final on Tuesday, July 14. Sutton has hailed this encounter as the ultimate final showdown, praising Spain's mastery of possession and control while acknowledging France's blistering attacking flair. He reckons Spain's defensive record will be put to the test by Les Bleus' lightning pace and pinpoint accuracy, particularly when it comes to exploiting those all-important counter-attacks. One key area Sutton has identified is Lamine Yamal's form, warning that his performance against Lucas Digne could make or break Spain's chances. His verdict? A thrilling 3-1 win for France - and the AI agrees, albeit with a slightly tighter margin at 2-1.
The second semi-final promises to be just as epic, pitting England against Argentina on Wednesday, July 15. Sutton is adamant that this is England's chance to shine, labelling it their best opportunity to win a World Cup semi-final in living memory. He acknowledges the experience and star power of Messi and company but believes they're only 'average' compared to the great Argentine teams of yesteryear. Sutton points out Argentina's fortunate progression past Switzerland in the quarters, where a red card changed the game's trajectory - and he doesn't think England will let this chance slip away. The score? Well, that's up for grabs, but one thing's for certain: the Three Lions are ready to roar!
Meanwhile, back at HQ, our users are flexing their prediction muscles with a 72% success rate in the BBC's predictor game - not bad for just 100 of the 104 matches down! They're tied with Chris Sutton and AI on 65 correct predictions each (using Microsoft Copilot Chat), and all three have nailed the winners of those crucial quarter-final ties.
The semi-finals are set to be a real showstopper, with the stakes higher than ever. The last two standing will battle it out for that coveted World Cup title at MetLife Stadium near New York City on Sunday, July 19 - and we can't wait to see who'll emerge victorious!