When are the World Cup semi finals 2022? Dates of FIFA football tournament, fixtures schedule, who is playing

France and Croatia are aiming to reach the World Cup final for the second consecutive tournament.

France progressed to the semi-final of the World Cup after a narrow 2-1 defeat over Gareth Southgate’s England. Les Bleus are the hot favourites to lift football’s most coveted prize and are looking to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to lift back to back World Cup titles.

France will face Morocco in the semi-final. The Atlas Lions have been the dark horses of the competition and have become the first ever African team in history to reach the last four of the World Cup.

Morocco will enter the game against France as underdogs but have already slain a number of European opponents in this year’s tournament including Portugal, Spain and Belgium.

Argentina and Croatia are also battling it out for a place in the World Cup final. Argentina entered the tournament as one of the favourites and have recovered from a disastrous start to reach the last four. The South American giants are spearheaded by seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi who will be looking to guide his nation to glory on the world stage for the first time since 1986.

Croatia were the dark horses of the Russia World Cup four years ago and have continued to defy expectations this winter. They reached the last four after penalty shootout victories over Japan and tournament favourites Brazil.

But when will the World Cup semi-final games be played and how can you watch the games?

Here is everything you need to know.

When is the World Cup semi-final?

The World Cup semi-final games will take place across Tuesday 13 December and Wednesday 14 December.

The four winning quarter-finalists will have three days of recovery before playing in the semi-final.

Who is the favourite to advance to the final?

Argentina will enter the game against Croatia as the overwhelming favourite with the bookmakers.

The South American side last reached the final in 2014 and have previously won the tournament on two occasions in 1978 and 1986. Lionel Scaloni’s side are the reigning Copa America champions and have a host of talented players including Julian Alvarez, Lautaro Martinez, Emiliano Martinez and most notably seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi.

Messi has been the catalyst for Argentina’s success so far in the tournament and has scored an impressive four goals across competition so far.

Croatia will be determined to cause an upset and they too possess a talented team which features veterans such as Luka Modric, Ivan Peresic and Dominik Livakovic. Both sides reached the semi-final via a penalty shootout and it could prove to be a tight encounter.

Score prediction: Argentina 2-1 Croatia (After extra time)

France will enter their game against Morocco as clear favourites to win and Didier Deschamps side are expected to reach the World Cup final for the second time in a row. Les Bleus possess a star studded team featuring the tournament’s leading goal scorer Kylian Mbappe.

Morocco will be clear underdogs for the victory but have proven over the course of the tournament that they are capable of causing surprises. The Atlas Lions have a rock solid defensive record at the World Cup and have conceded just one goal on their route to the last four.

Score prediction: France 2-0 Morocco