Why are there no 2026 World Cup games today, July 16?

We’ve had almost nonstop soccer since Thursday, June 11, when the 2026 World Cup kicked off with the opening game between Mexico and South Africa. Before today, there had only been three days since then without a game scheduled, although we’re now staring at a two-day drought and wondering what to do with our lives.

The reason for the lack of action comes down to a simple fact: there are only two games left to play in the tournament. In case you’d forgotten, or simply weren’t aware, the third-place match will take place before the final.

2026 World Cup remaining games

• Saturday, July 18: France vs. England, third-place match (Miami)
• Sunday, July 19: Spain vs. Argentina, final (New York)

With the semifinals concluding on Wednesday, it would’ve been deeply unfair of FIFA to ask those poor English souls to go again in the third-place match just 24 hours later.

Of course, in addition to allowing players to recover from the previous game, logistics are also taken into account, with the teams involved afforded time to settle into their next temporary homes before playing their final games of the tournament.

As a result, we’ll have to be a little patient for the closing chapter of international soccer’s biggest and best offering. After 102 games across the United States, Mexico and Canada, only two remain.

It’s nearly all over.

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