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World Cup 2026: Buildup to blockbuster semi-finals, Infantino hints at 64-team expansion – live
The Guardian’s live World Cup 2026 blog focused on the build-up to the semi-finals rather than any on-pitch action, with attention on England’s preparations and other developments around international football. It matters because it captures the wider atmosphere before the last-four matches, including team news, crowd management concerns and coaching changes that could shape the tournament’s final stages and its broader football context.
Key updates included Reece James training with England before their semi-final, police urging England supporters to maintain the “exemplary” behaviour seen so far, and Slaven Bilić returning as Croatia head coach. Away from the tournament itself, London City Lionesses signed Spain defender Mapi León on a three-year deal, Sunderland and Fulham were reported to be interested in Roma winger Matías Soulé, and Dutch referee Rob Dieperink died aged 38, two months after being removed from the World Cup VAR panel following a London police case that was later dropped for lack of evidence.
In short
- England and others stepped up semi-final preparations
- Bilić returned as Croatia head coach
- Referee Rob Dieperink died aged 38
Explained simply
The FIFA World Cup is the international football championship held every four years, where the world's top national teams compete for sport's most prestigious trophy. The semi-finals are the penultimate stage of the tournament, with just four teams remaining in contention.
At the semi-final stage, teams are preparing intensely for the championship final, involving scrutiny of player fitness, tactical decisions and team news that could affect outcomes. The semi-finals matter globally because they determine which two nations will compete for the trophy and because they capture the attention of billions of football supporters worldwide.
International football at the World Cup generates enormous interest and national pride around the globe. Coverage of the semi-final buildup encompasses broader developments in world football beyond just the matches themselves, including tournament administration, supporter conduct and other football news that shapes the competition's atmosphere.