Spain vs Norway. World Cup 2026 semifinal number two. Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, 3 p.m. ET on Wednesday July 15. The winner books a Sunday date with England at MetLife Stadium. Here is every practical thing you need — TV, streaming, kickoff time in your zone, weather at kick, confirmed team news, and the storylines that will actually decide it.
How to watch Spain vs Norway (US, UK and Canada)
United States: FOX has the English-language broadcast, Telemundo the Spanish. Streaming lives on the FOX Sports and NBC Deportes apps for authenticated cable, and on Fubo, YouTube TV, Hulu Live and Sling Blue for cord-cutters. Kick-off is 3 p.m. ET / 12 noon PT.
United Kingdom: BBC One has the live free-to-air broadcast in the UK, with BBC iPlayer streaming. Kick-off is 8 p.m. BST — prime time on a Wednesday night.
Canada: TSN and RDS split rights. Streaming is on TSN.ca and TSN+.
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Confirmed team news
Spain report no fresh injuries out of the France quarter-final. Luis de la Fuente is expected to stick with the same starting eleven that has now won all six of their matches at this tournament: Simón in goal; Carvajal, Le Normand, Laporte, Cucurella across the back; Rodri anchoring, Pedri and Fabián Ruiz to his left and right; Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams stretching the width; Álvaro Morata leading the line. The Ferran Torres option remains from the bench.
Norway get Sander Berge back after a suspension for accumulated yellow cards. Ståle Solbakken is expected to line up in his 5-3-2 that has frustrated everyone from Germany to Argentina: Nyland; Ryerson, Ajer, Hanche-Olsen, Østigård, Wolfe; Berge, Ødegaard, Nusa; Sørloth and Erling Haaland up top. Alexander Sørloth is the pivot in front of Haaland; how much they rotate is one of the tactical questions of the night.
What decides it
Three things:
- The Haaland problem. He has six goals in this tournament and has not been shut out in a knockout match yet. Spain's centre-back pair of Aymeric Laporte and Robin Le Normand have been aggressive on the front foot all summer; if they get pulled up into midfield chasing Sørloth drops, Haaland runs behind Le Normand every single time. That is the fixture inside the fixture.
- The Ødegaard-Rodri battle. Norway need Martin Ødegaard on the ball in the pockets between Rodri and the centre-backs. Spain need Rodri to snap those passing lanes before Ødegaard turns. Whoever wins that ten square yards wins the game.
- Set pieces going the other way. Norway have scored four of their ten tournament goals from dead balls. Spain concede more from set pieces than open play — the France quarter-final was the exception, not the rule. Corners for Norway are corners to watch.
Weather and pitch in Atlanta
Mercedes-Benz Stadium has a retractable roof and it is expected to be closed for this fixture. Forecast highs in Atlanta on July 15 sit around 88°F (31°C) with afternoon thunderstorms in the area — closed roof and climate control means the pitch will play at a controlled temperature regardless of what happens outside. Advantage possession side, which is Spain.
Referee
The appointed referee is Facundo Tello of Argentina, one of the tournament's more card-happy officials. Norway will need to be careful in the tackle around midfield — Berge already came into this window on a suspension for accumulated yellows, and another booking in the semi puts him out of a potential final.
The head-to-head
Spain and Norway have not met in a competitive fixture since the 1994 World Cup qualifiers, when Spain won 2-1 in Oslo and drew 1-1 in Seville. They have never played in the World Cup finals. Norway have never reached a World Cup semifinal until this one; Spain are here for the fifth time and looking for a second title after 2010.
Prediction and match ball
The chalk pick is Spain — better collective, more tournament experience at this stage, favourable roof-closed conditions. But Norway have not lost by more than one goal all tournament and they have Haaland. Anything short of a two-goal Spain lead at 60 minutes stays interesting. Score prediction: 2-1 Spain, extra time not required, Haaland gets on the sheet. Whoever wins meets England in Sunday's final — read our semifinal 1 recap for how the other half of the bracket looks.
FAQ
What time does Spain vs Norway kick off in Spain and Norway? 9 p.m. CEST / CET local time on Wednesday July 15 in both countries — European prime time.
If it's level after 90 minutes? Two 15-minute periods of extra time, then a penalty shootout if still tied. There is no away-goals equivalent in a single-match knockout fixture.
Where is the third-place playoff? Saturday July 18 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, 3 p.m. ET. The losing side of Semifinal 2 will play Netherlands.
Where is the final? Sunday July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, 3 p.m. ET. Whichever team wins tonight meets England.