Four kings, one throne: World Cup’s semis pit past champions against each other
For the first time in tournament history, the top four ranked teams in the world have all reached the semifinals — and every one of them has lifted the trophy before.
France forward Kylian Mbappé celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match against Paraguay at Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 4.REUTERS/YONHAP
Not since 1990 has a World Cup semifinal lineup looked like this: four teams, four former champions, and for the first time ever, the top four ranked sides in the world all still standing. France, Spain, England and Argentina have turned the final stretch of the 2026 tournament into what amounts to a battle of heavyweights, with no easy path to the trophy left for anyone.
The semifinals kick off with France facing Spain at Dallas Stadium at 2 p.m. Central Time on Tuesday, followed by England against Argentina at Atlanta Stadium at 3 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday.
The last time all four semifinalists had previously won the tournament was 1990 FIFA World Cup, when West Germany, Argentina, Italy and England reached the same stage.
Sports data analyst Opta gives France the best odds of winning the title,with 34.05 percent, followed by Spain with 23.45 percent, England with 21.94 percent and Argentinawith 20.55 percent. The opening semifinal between France and Spain therefore pits the tournament’s two top favorites against each other.
France has scored 16 goals and conceded just two so far, while Spain has scored 11 and allowed only one. France’s two goals conceded both came in the group stage; the team has kept clean sheets in all three knockout matches since. Spain’s only goal conceded came against Belgium in the quarterfinals.
Having won the 2018 World Cup in Russia and finished runner-up in Qatar in 2022, France would reach a third straight final with a win over Spain.
The race for the Golden Boot, the tournament’s top individual honors, is just as tight. France captain Kylian Mbappé has eight goals and three assists, edging Argentina’s Lionel Messi, who has eight goals and two assists. The two are now competing for both the Golden Boot as the tournament’s leading scorer and the Golden Ball as its most valuable player.
Argentina captain Lionel Messi adjusts a black armband worn in memory of Antonio Rattín, captain of the country’s 1966 World Cup team, before the quarterfinal against Switzerland in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 11.AP/YONHAP
England’s Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham trail close behind with six goals each. Norway’s Erling Haaland, who scored seven, was eliminated from competition when his team fell in the quarterfinals.
Spain is placing its hopes in teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, who wasn’t even born when Messi made his World Cup debut in 2006.
Closely marked by opponents, Yamal has managed just one goal all tournament against Saudi Arabia in the group stage. He nevertheless remains a leading contender for the FIFA Young Player Award. To stake his status as heir to Messi’s throne, he will have to breakdown France’s stubborn defense.
France cruised through the knockout rounds, beating Sweden 3-0, Paraguay 1-0 and Morocco 2-0.
Spain, by contrast, faced a tougher path against strong European opponents, beating Austria 3-0, Portugal 1-0 and Belgium 2-1. Those matches took a heavier physical toll on the team.
Spain also lost wingers Yeremy Pino and Nico Williams to injuries in its final group match against Uruguay, though Williams, who hurt his right foot, has recovered enough to play against France.
France’s Michael Olise, left, battles Paraguay’s Omar Alderete for the ball during their FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match at Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 4.AP/YONHAP
The midfield battle should be just as compelling. Michael Olise, the tournament’s assist leader with five, will look to thread passes through to Mbappe with incisive forward passes. Spain counters with an elite trio in Pedri, Rodri and Fabian Ruiz, controlling matches through quick, short passes.
Argentina and England both scraped through the knockout by the skin of their teeth.
Argentina needed extra time to beat Cabo Verde 3-2, came from behind to edge Egypt 3-2, and needed extra time again to overcome Switzerland 3-1.
England’s run was just as nerve-wracking: a come-from-behind 2-1 win over DR Congo, a 3-2 escape against Mexico, and a 2-1 comeback after extra time over Norway.
Defending champion Argentina is chasing back-to-back World Cup titles. England, meanwhile, is hoping to reclaim the summit for the first time since its lone title in 1966 — 60 years ago.
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
