World Cup 2026 Semifinals Set With Four Former Champions

Four Former Champions Reach World Cup 2026 Semifinals

After 100 matches, the 2026 World Cup has narrowed to four giants of soccer: France, Spain, Argentina, and England. Each team boasts a history of championship glory, making this final stage tightly contested.

The tournament, which expanded to 48 nations, showcased thrilling surprises early on. Cape Verde's Blue Sharks brought excitement, while Mexico reminded fans of the iconic Azteca Stadium magic. The U.S. team energized crowds but exited dramatically. Icons like Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modrić bowed out, and powerhouses such as Brazil, Germany, and Uruguay fell earlier than expected.

Underdogs like Morocco confirmed their rise since 2022, while teams like Curaçao, Ivory Coast, and Panama earned respect with spirited performances. Dutch supporters celebrated widely, Norwegians captured hearts, and Scottish fans showed up in force.

Semifinal Matchups and Venue Details

The first semifinal kicks off Tuesday at 3 p.m. ET at the climate-controlled AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, where France faces Spain. This marks France's third consecutive semifinal appearance and their fifth in 28 years. Spain, champions in 2010, meets France for the first time since last year's Nations League thriller that ended 5-4 in favor of La Roja.

Following that, the reigning champions Argentina take on an eager England team in Atlanta’s indoor stadium. England aims to end a six-decade wait for a World Cup final spot. The winners of these clashes will meet Sunday at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.

Tight Competition Among Heavyweights

Spanish coach Luis de la Fuente stressed the evenness among teams: “Everyone is a heavyweight. The gap between teams is minimal. It’s all very tight.” Unlike previous tournaments, there are no clear underdogs left in the semifinals.

France’s coach Didier Deschamps, who will retire after this World Cup following 14 years and four tournaments with the team, calls Spain the favorite. He praised Spain’s consistency and recent achievements, including their Euro 2024 title.

Since losing to Spain last year, France has compiled a 15-1-1 record, dominating their World Cup matches with a 16-2 goal difference. Spain remains unbeaten in 36 matches over 28 months, conceding just one goal in their last five World Cup games until the quarterfinals.

Star Players and Rivalries

The semifinal features two of the sport’s brightest talents: France’s Kylian Mbappé and Spain’s 19-year-old prodigy Lamine Yamal. Yamal, who just celebrated his birthday, corrected interpretations of his post-quarterfinal comments, emphasizing Spain's confidence rather than fear.

French midfielder Warren Zaire-Emery stated, “We are the French national team. We are not afraid of anybody.” Deschamps admitted Yamal’s unpredictability poses challenges but believes his team has multiple ways to respond.

Yamal’s coach hopes his young star delivers a defining performance soon, while Mbappé appears fully fit despite slight injury concerns from the quarterfinals. Mbappé holds a knockout stage scoring record with 12 goals across three World Cups and shares the Golden Boot lead this summer with Argentina’s Lionel Messi at eight goals.

Argentina and England Battle to Reach the Final

Argentina seeks to become the first team since Pelé’s Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups. Their path included narrow escapes against Cape Verde, Egypt, and Switzerland. Messi reflected on the difficulty of staying at the top, calling it “not normal” to maintain such high performance.

England demonstrated resilience by overturning deficits against DR Congo, Mexico, and then Norway, led by Erling Haaland. Star striker Harry Kane expressed a desire to finally overcome the long-standing heartbreak and reach the ultimate prize.

Looking Ahead

Before the finals, all eyes remain on France vs. Spain and the duel between Mbappé and Yamal. The young Spanish winger spent part of his birthday with his 3-year-old half-brother, whose reactions during matches have become a viral sensation. Relaxed ahead of the match, Yamal said his ideal birthday gift would be victory and a trip to New York for the final.