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Can you believe it? Only four teams remain in the FIFA World Cup 2026 as we move towards the semi-finals of the grandest football event in the world.

England are set to renew their historic rivalry with Argentina after coming from behind to overcome Norway in the quarter-finals, while La Albiceleste edged past Switzerland after extra-time.

The Three Lions last defeated Argentina in a World Cup encounter back in 2002, though the South Americans have won the two most recent knockout meetings. For Thomas Tuchel’s side, there might be hope in history—England also beat Argentina en route to lifting the trophy in 1966, exactly sixty years ago.

In the other semi-final, tournament favourites France will take on Spain in a rematch of the Euro 2024 semi-final played two years ago. Les Bleus will be eager to avenge that defeat in Germany.

Here’s how we rate the final four sides heading into the penultimate stage of the competition. Let us know if you share the same view!

Argentina’s path to the last four has been more dramatic than expected. Despite receiving a relatively favourable draw—facing Cape Verde, Egypt, and Switzerland—they were made to work hard in each fixture.

The reigning champions have struggled with a lack of pace and natural width, and Lionel Messi appears visibly exhausted after playing through two extra-time clashes. The Inter Miami star has carried much of the creative burden, though a few teammates stepped up when it mattered most against the Swiss.

It’s hard to picture Argentina not being physically outmatched by England on Wednesday.

Stop me if you’ve heard this before: a gifted England side labour their way through matches against lesser opponents but still find enough quality and resilience to go deep into a major tournament.

That has been the narrative of the Three Lions since their World Cup semi-final appearance in 2018. Thomas Tuchel has now guided this generation to the same stage again, and hopes to push beyond it this time around.

With Jude Bellingham in the team, anything is possible. The Real Madrid midfielder has rescued England multiple times already when they most needed a spark. He is as indispensable to England as Messi is to Argentina.

One of this squad’s key strengths lies in its depth. Norway were the better team for much of Saturday’s quarter-final and arguably should have sealed it in regulation time. Yet Tuchel’s bench made the difference—Bukayo Saka was electric on the right after coming on, Djed Spence tightened up the left flank defensively, and Dan Burn was immense in repelling crosses.

Before the tournament began, Spain were my favourites to lift the trophy. They conquered both France and England—two of the world’s best sides—on their way to winning Euro 2024, playing an eye-catching brand of football.

However, La Roja haven’t displayed the same attacking brilliance this summer. Their play has been noticeably more cautious, largely due to fitness concerns surrounding Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams.

Yamal suffered a hamstring injury late in the club season and has yet to fully regain his sharpness. Williams has barely featured since picking up a muscle strain against Uruguay, depriving Spain of a major attacking outlet.

Even so, Spain have coped admirably, especially in defence—they have conceded just once in six matches. There was definite relief among Spanish supporters when Williams appeared off the bench for the final ten minutes of their quarter-final win over Belgium. He remains a true game-changer.

Like Spain, France have not quite matched expectations stylistically. For over a decade, Didier Deschamps has favoured a pragmatic, risk-averse approach, often frustrating fans as his star-studded team ground through matches with minimal flair.

But in what is set to be Deschamps’ final tournament as France manager, he has loosened the reins significantly. Much of this shift stems from necessity—Aurelien Tchouameni’s injury has ruled out a midfield trio option, and Deschamps has resisted recalling N’Golo Kante.

Instead, he has opted for a four-man attack, resulting in some breathtaking football. Kylian Mbappe alone is a nightmare for defenders, but when flanked by Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise, and either Desire Doue or Bradley Barcola, France look unstoppable.

Shifting Michael Olise into a central role after starting him on the right in the group stage opener against Senegal has proven a masterstroke. The Bayern Munich star has been France’s standout performer so far, and any team hoping to stop Les Bleus will have to find a way to neutralise him first.