Good afternoon, fellow football fans! Welcome to the World Cup midday report for July 14th. After a two-day break, the semi-finals of the 2026 USA-CMC World Cup are about to begin! The world's top four teams will compete for the final four spots. Which two teams will successfully meet in the final?

World Cup comments

Focus on the semi-finals – French team comments

Zaire Emery: We want to beat Spain and avenge our defeat in the European Championship.

Zaire Emery: Yamal says we must be afraid of Spain? We have the strength too.

Deschamps: Spain is the favorite to win the World Cup, this is not to put pressure on them.

[Does Rabiot regret mentioning Yamal? Rabiot: I forgot, but if I said it, it must be true.]

Rabiot: It's too early to say whether we can beat Spain; we'll have to wait and see on the pitch.

[Kounde: Dembele and Mbappe are almost like brothers; they both love to joke around]

Focus on the semi-finals – Spanish team comments

[Kubasi: I'm not afraid of Mbappe; I've dreamed of lifting the World Cup since I was a child]

[Oyarzabal: The young players have already been under enough pressure, and I will help them stay calm]

[Baena: The match against France is 50/50; I'm currently in my best form]

[Polo: We have nothing to envy about the French team; Llorente and I support each other.]

Laporte: We must be extra careful against France, but the result depends more on us.

Rodri: Yamal is always willing to listen; France is in good form but we can beat them.

Merino: Past head-to-head records will not decide this semi-final; looking forward to playing Saliba.

Panoramic World Cup

[The kits for the World Cup semi-final match between England and Argentina have been confirmed; Argentina will wear the classic dark blue kit from 1986]

According to Record, FIFA finalized the kits England and Argentina will wear in their 2026 World Cup semi-final match after meeting with representatives from the English and Argentine football associations on Monday.

[Spanish Football Federation President: Final tickets are unaffordable for ordinary fans; England is more likely to advance to the final]

Spanish Football Federation President Rafael Luzan stated that the cheapest ticket price for this World Cup final is around 4,000 euros, which is unaffordable for ordinary fans.

Argentine media speculate that Bellingham has suffered an injury, sparking discontent among many England fans.

On July 14th, Beijing time, the Daily Mail reported that Argentine media outlets have been speculating that Bellingham suffered an injury ahead of the World Cup semi-final match against Argentina. This speculation by the Argentine media has sparked widespread discussion and discontent among England fans.

[Only two forwards in this World Cup have walked more than 5km in a single match, both of them being Messi.]

According to Opta statistics, there have only been two instances in this World Cup where a striker walked more than 5 kilometers in a single match, both involving Messi.

[Netizens create website to petition for Argentina to be kicked out of the World Cup, aiming to collect 5 million signatures]

Argentina has advanced to the semi-finals of this World Cup, but their journey has sparked some controversy. Recently, an internet user created a petition website to expel Argentina from the World Cup, aiming to garner 5 million signatures.

[Number of matches officiated by referees from various countries in this World Cup: France, England, Argentina, and Brazil lead with 7 matches, followed by China, Spain, and 6 other countries with 1 match each.]

The referees for the semi-finals of this World Cup have been assigned: El Salvadorian referee Ivan Barton will officiate the France vs. Spain match, and American referee Elfas will officiate the England vs. Argentina match.

[World Cup Semi-Final Referee: England vs. Argentina - American Referee Alface]

On July 14, Beijing time, FIFA officially announced the refereeing arrangements for the 2026 World Cup semi-final match between England and Argentina, with American referee Ismail Alfas serving as the main referee.

[Argentina National Team Official Statement: We are willing to donate supplies to the Guangxi flood relief efforts]

On July 14, Beijing time, the Argentine national team officially announced that they intend to donate a batch of supplies to the Guangxi flood relief efforts.

[British media reports on the trend of Argentine players wearing red ribbons: originating from a journalist at the 2018 World Cup]

The red ribbons worn by Argentine players on their ankles or wrists have become an iconic image on the World Cup stage. From Messi to Alvarez, many Argentine national team players wear this red ribbon. So, what is its origin? talkSPORT explains.

[National heroes, Norwegian players receive the King and Crown Prince of Norway at the Royal Palace]

In the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, the Norwegian team performed brilliantly, reaching the quarterfinals after a 28-year absence from the World Cup. Today, the Norwegian team returned home and was received by the Norwegian Royal Family at the Royal Palace in Oslo, the capital.

[Spectacular scene: The Norwegian Crown Prince led players and 90,000 people in a boating celebration outside the palace.]

In the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, the Norwegian team performed brilliantly, returning to the World Cup after 28 years and reaching the quarterfinals. Today, the Norwegian team returned home, and more than 90,000 people gathered outside the Royal Palace in Oslo, the capital.

[Senegal Football Federation President: Investigation Reveals Our Team Doctor Was Actually a Gynecologist]

According to L'Equipe, Senegalese Football Federation President Far revealed that the team doctor who accompanied the team during the World Cup was later discovered to be a gynecologist.

[Marca: A minute's silence will be observed before the France vs. Spain match for the victims of the 2016 Nice terror attack]

According to Marca, FIFA has approved a minute's silence before the 2026 World Cup semi-final match between France and Spain to commemorate the victims of the 2016 Nice terrorist attack. This year marks the tenth anniversary of the attack, and the gesture is seen as a way to remember history and respect life.

Match Preview

Tomorrow, July 15th

3:00 World Cup Semi-Final: France vs. Spain