The 2026 FIFA World Cup has arrived at a historic final four. Defending champion Argentina, European champion Spain, 2022 runner-up France and England all booked their places in the semifinals after surviving a dramatic quarterfinal round. The lineup also carries a rare distinction: for the first time in World Cup history, the four semifinalists are also the top four teams in the FIFA Men’s World Rankings.
France secured its place with a 2-0 victory over Morocco. Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring before Ousmane Dembélé doubled the lead in the closing stages. Spain followed with a dramatic 2-1 win over Belgium. Fabian Ruiz and Mikel Merino contributed the two-hander that sent the Matadors into the Big 4, keeping hope alive for the 2010 champ.
Saturday produced two more memorable contests. England defeated Norway 2-1 behind a brace from Jude Bellingham, overturning Norway’s early lead through Andreas Schjelderup. Argentina, meanwhile, overcame Switzerland 3-1 after extra time. Alexis Mac Allister gave the defending champions an early lead before Dan Ndoye equalized in the second half. Switzerland’s task became even tougher after Breel Embolo was sent off. Julián Álvarez restored Argentina’s advantage in the 112th minute, and Lautaro Martínez added a third moments before the final whistle.
The semifinal lineup reflects the current balance of power in international football. Argentina enters as the defending World Cup champion, Spain lifted the UEFA European Championship last summer, France continues its remarkable run under Didier Deschamps, and England is chasing its first World Cup title since 1966. Together, the four nations also occupy the top four spots in the latest FIFA Men’s World Rankings, making this an unprecedented semifinal lineup in tournament history.
The race to the final now shifts to two blockbuster clashes. Spain will meet France on Tuesday, July 14, at Atlanta Stadium in Atlanta, while Argentina faces England on Wednesday, July 15, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. With four of the world’s strongest football nations still standing, the stage is set for what promises to be a memorable finish to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.