We have reached the semifinal stage of the 2026 World Cup and there are two huge ties coming up this week.
After Spain saw off Belgium 2-1 and France overcame Morocco 2-0 in the last eight, the two European heavyweights go toe-to-toe first on Tuesday in Texas.
Then old rivals England and Argentina clash in Atlanta with all four countries aiming to secure a spot in the biggest game of them all on Sunday in New York.
Ahead of the seismic semifinals getting under way, here are our picks, predictions and best bets for the last four of the 23rd edition of soccer's biggest event.
France to win (+130)
France versus Spain would grace the final of the World Cup but, instead, one of these fantastic teams will miss out on a place in Sunday's spectacle.
European champions Spain are viewed as slight underdogs for the Texas tussle, probably due to the fact Les Bleus have been simply outstanding throughout the whole tournament and Spain have not looked quite at their very best.
France won their group with ease, racking up three comfortable victories over Senegal, Iraq and quarter-finalists Norway, before swatting aside Sweden 3-0 in the last-32.
Didier Deschamps' side had to dig in to see off a physical and confrontational Paraguay next, but were again by far the better side in the 1-0 victory, before they also had too much for a talented Morocco in the last eight.
During their run to the semis, the two-time world champions have displayed an attacking verve and control in games that few other teams have been able to match on the world stage.
Kylian Mbappe, with eight goals so far, is the obvious star forward, but Michael Olise - who has got five assists in North America - has been a superb creative force.
Add in fine consistent displays from the likes of Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, Adrien Rabiot and Manu Kone and Les Bleus are an all-round machine.
Spain still have a chance of stopping them but they must surely produce better than they have served up in the tournament so far to cause what would be a mild upset.
They slipped up in their opener when a defensive masterclass from World Cup debutants Cape Verde saw them being held 0-0, but Luis de la Fuente's side have since rattled along quite nicely, beating Saudi Arabia, Uruguay, Austria and Portugal - all without conceding - before they edged out Belgium in the last eight.
Spain, like France, do have plenty of star power with Lamine Yamal, Rodri, Dani Olmo and Mikel Oyarzabal, but there is a feeling that they are not quite on their opponents' level.
Lionel Messi to score or assist (-138)
In the other huge last-four showdown on Wednesday, Argentina and England renew a long-standing rivalry which has seen the two countries trade victories on the world stage in previous memorable tournaments, dating back from 1962, through to 1986, 1998 and 2002.
There have been many controversial moments and fiery affairs between the nations, and the upcoming semifinal is likely to deliver more of the same.
Despite struggling to get past Norway in the quarterfinals and now taking on the reigning world champions, the Three Lions are favorites in Atlanta.
However, Argentinian superstar Lionel Messi may have something to say about that. Messi has been at his mesmerising best in the competition, with the 39-year-old scoring eight goals and registering two assists.
Strangely, the former Barcelona ace has never played against England, but he gets his opportunity on Wednesday and it would be no a surprise to see the playmaker being involved in a goal or two again.
Jude Bellingham to score or assist (+175)
Sometimes, you simply cannot ignore the form of some players. Bellingham is a case in point after the Real Madrid midfielder's outrageous displays for England in the World Cup this summer.
Bellingham has almost single-handedly dragged Thomas Tuchel's side through to the last four, scoring six times and adding in an assist, with the former Birmingham City youngster the hero against Norway on Saturday with a crucial double.
Bellingham appears in the mood to inform everyone he could be the heir to Messi's crown and the England man is backed to once again either score or get an assist in Atlanta.
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
