The ongoing World Cup is a behemoth of a sporting event that’s subjected to numerous irritants.
Such as: sweltering heat and weather-unfriendly kickoffs mandated by the TV gods; uneven officiating and replay-judge rulings; politicians from several countries injecting themselves into the headlines; and price gouging across several sectors.
The players have transcended the whole affair.
They’ve delivered the goods, on balance.
Pulling off a huge lift in a sport that doesn’t readily lend itself to taking flight, they’ve held our attention across four weeks.
Now, this World Cup that’s being staged (mostly) in America for the first time since 1994 appears set up to finish well.
As if served up by FIFA itself, a pair of semifinal matches this week will ensure a record-setting global audience.
The first match boasts two masters of the beautiful game in France and Spain, who’ll meet on Tuesday in Arlington, Texas.
Wednesday in Atlanta, it’ll be defending champ Argentina and formidable England.
FIFA’s top four-ranked clubs are filling out a World Cup semifinal for the first time.
And that’s a summer treat. Though internationals visiting Philadelphia in the group stage flocked to the Rocky Balboa stairs and statue … and Belgium gave a good show in exposing the U.S. and overcoming numerous injuries to scare Spain … and Egypt made dazzling plays in its cruel loss to Argentina in the last 16s … the four teams still playing provide the best potential for memorable soccer.
There’s no guarantee the soccer will soar now or in Sunday’s final in New Jersey.
It’s never assumed that officials, players and coaches can find the balance between “let ’em play” and rewarding goon tactics.
Summer heat will test each team, despite air conditioning at the two NFL venues.
Did you see the quarterfinals match played Saturday in steamy Miami Gardens?
Far from its northern latitude, Norway rationed fuel more than it would have otherwise against a favored English team that also picked its spots with more care.
England’s Jude Bellingham, take note, once again bounded about the massive pitch — and beyond.
The 23-year-old midfielder tied Norway near halftime by capping a powerful drive in the box. Minutes later, he blazed off the pitch, then up a tunnel. Behind him, players from both teams plodded toward the sideline.
Bellingham buzzed around for another half hour in thick heat.
England’s Jude Bellingham celebrates after scoring his side’s first goal during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Norway and England in Miami Gardens, Fla., Saturday, July 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
And in staking England to the lead in the 93rd minute, the Real Madrid star achieved a brace in the tropics just six days after he scored twice against Mexico at Estadio Azteca, elevation 7,300 feet.
Croatia couldn’t hold him off, either. His goal off a two-man attack that spanned over half the field unlocked a 4-2 win, charting England’s course.
So with Bellingham able also to tilt games with his passing, defense and decoy runs that defenses must respect, while growing in his knack for meshing with striker Harry Kane, I’m feeling daring here.
England, I say, overcomes Lionel Messi and friends to book the men’s team’s first World Cup final since 1966 as the host country.
I’m not inclined to pick either France or Spain. In a perfect world, the two would play a best-of-three World Series.
If any team can out-fútbol a talent-rich French team that has seen both Kylian Mbappé and Michael Olise approach peak form in this World Cup, it’s a Spanish side that may feel unburdened by its status as a clear underdog.
The easy forecast is this one:
Many fans will again tune in from San Diego, a market that has placed sixth nationally in viewership of Fox Sports’ telecasts through the Cup’s round of 16.