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The 2026 World Cup is entering its final stretch.
What started with a record-breaking 48 teams has been whittled down to just four, with France set to clash against Spain and England reigniting its historic rivalry with Argentina in the semifinal round.
Before the action picks back up, however, the tournament is taking a brief hiatus—a shift in tempo that might feel odd after weeks of near-constant soccer. Since the opening whistle, fans have enjoyed multiple matches on most days across the United States, Canada and Mexico, but with only a few games left on the calendar, the pace naturally begins to wind down.
So what's behind the break before the semifinals? And when does World Cup action return? Here's the reason FIFA has scheduled a rest day into the program.
Why Aren't There Any World Cup Games Today?
Why Aren't There Any World Cup Games Today?
The World Cup quarterfinals wrapped up on Saturday—or in the early hours of Sunday in certain time zones—with England defeating Norway and Argentina overcoming Switzerland to secure their spots in the final four.
A day prior, Spain narrowly got past Belgium, while France opened the quarterfinal stage by eliminating Morocco on Thursday.
In short, there are no World Cup fixtures on Sunday (July 12) or Monday (July 13) because FIFA has incorporated a brief rest period into the schedule, allowing the four remaining sides time to recuperate and gear up for the semifinals.
The tournament picks back up on Tuesday, July 14, when France faces Spain at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. England and Argentina then go head-to-head 24 hours later at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
The staggered format ensures all four semifinalists have ample recovery time before returning to the pitch, though France will benefit from slightly more rest having played its quarterfinal first.
Which Other Days Will Have No World Cup Games?
Which Other Days Will Have No World Cup Games?
After this current break, there will be two additional days without World Cup fixtures before the competition reaches its climax.
Once the semifinals conclude on Tuesday, July 14, and Wednesday, July 15, there will be no matches on Thursday, July 16, or Friday, July 17. This two-day window gives the finalists extra time to recover and prepare for the most prestigious match in world soccer.
The tournament then returns on Saturday, July 18, with the third-place playoff, before the 2026 World Cup draws to a close on Sunday, July 19, when the final takes place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
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World Cup Schedule—Semifinals Onwards
World Cup Schedule—Semifinals Onwards
Stage | Dates |
|---|---|
Semifinals | July 14–15 |
Third place playoff | July 18 |
Final | July 19 |
READ THE LATEST WORLD CUP NEWS, PREVIEWS & ANALYSIS HERE
READ THE LATEST WORLD CUP NEWS, PREVIEWS & ANALYSIS HERE
Barnaby Lane, widely known as Barney, is a soccer writer for SI FC. With close to a decade of experience in the field, he has contributed to a number of well-known publications across both the United States and the United Kingdom, and has sat down with some of the globe's most prominent athletes—from Usain Bolt and Rafael Nadal to Christian Pulisic (though his most memorable interview to date remains Adebayo Akinfenwa). Barney's primary focus is Premier League soccer, covering everything from the nostalgia of bygone eras to the modern, dramatically transformed landscape of today's game. He also brings reporting experience in La Liga and Major League Soccer, the latter of which he developed a strong affinity for during his time studying at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond.