Everything to know about the four FIFA World Cup semi-finalists

Kathmandu, July 13

The FIFA World Cup 2026, which began with 48 teams, has now reached its final four. After more than a month of competition, dozens of thrilling matches, and numerous unexpected results, France, Spain, England, and defending champions Argentina have booked their places in the semi-finals.

In the quarter-finals, France beat Morocco 2-0, while Spain fought hard for a 2-1 win over Belgium. England edged past Norway 2-1 in extra time, and Argentina also needed extra time to beat Switzerland 3-1.

France will now face Spain in the first semi-final, while England will take on Argentina in the second. Remarkably, all four teams left standing are established powers of world football, each having won the World Cup before. France is chasing a third title, Spain and England their second, and Argentina its fourth.

France

One of the most consistent teams in world football over the past decade, France has again reached the brink of the title. The 2018 champions and 2022 runners-up cruised through the group stage, beating Senegal 3-1, Iraq 3-0, and Norway 4-1. They then defeated Sweden 3-0 in the round of 32, Paraguay 1-0 in the round of 16, and Morocco 2-0 in the quarter-final, their third straight World Cup semi-final appearance.

Captain Kylian Mbappé has been France’s biggest weapon, scoring eight goals to tie for the Golden Boot with Lionel Messi and creating three more scoring chances. Ousmane Dembélé has added five goals of his own. This is France’s eighth World Cup semi-final overall; they won the title in 1998 and 2018, but lost the final in 2006 and 2022. Didier Deschamps’ side will now aim to beat Spain and reach a second straight World Cup final.

Spain

Spain’s tournament didn’t start as expected; a goalless draw against World Cup debutants Cape Verde raised questions early on. But they soon found their form, thrashing Saudi Arabia 4-0 and beating Uruguay 1-0 to top their group. They eased past Austria 3-0 in the round of 32 and beat neighbours Portugal 1-0 in the round of 16.

The quarter-final against Belgium was a tougher test; Fabián Ruiz put Spain ahead, but Belgium fought back before Mikel Merino scored a late winner two minutes from time, securing a 2-1 victory. Mikel Oyarzabal has scored four goals for Spain, alongside key contributions from young star Lamine Yamal, Rodri, Ruiz, and Merino. This marks Spain’s return to the semi-finals 16 years after their only title win in 2010, when they also made their first semi-final appearance. Now they face two-time champions France.

England

Still searching for a title since 1966, England are two wins away from ending that wait. They started strongly with a 4-2 win over Croatia, drew 0-0 with Ghana, then beat Panama 2-0 to top their group. The knockout stage proved tougher: a 2-1 win over Congo in the round of 32, followed by a thrilling 3-2 win over hosts Mexico in the round of 16.

Against Norway in the quarter-final, England trailed before Jude Bellingham inspired a comeback, scoring twice, including the extra-time winner, for a 2-1 victory, while also containing Norway’s Erling Haaland, who had scored seven goals in the tournament. Captain Harry Kane has scored six goals, matched by Bellingham, whose performances against Mexico and Norway highlighted the team’s mental resilience under Thomas Tuchel. This is England’s fourth World Cup semi-final, following their solitary title in 1966 and semi-final exits in 1990 and 2018 without reaching the final. Now they face defending champions Argentina and Lionel Messi in a fixture steeped in World Cup history, with a place in the final on the line.

Argentina

Defending champions Argentina are back in the semi-finals, with Lionel Messi once again at the heart of the team. They topped their group with a perfect record, beating Algeria 3-0, Austria 2-0, and Jordan 3-1.

The knockout stage was far from smooth: a 3-2 extra-time win over Cape Verde in the round of 32, followed by an extraordinary comeback from 2-0 down to beat Egypt 3-2 in the round of 16. Switzerland also pushed Argentina to extra time in the quarter-final; Alexis Mac Allister’s early goal was cancelled out by Dan Ndoye, before Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez struck in extra time to seal a 3-1 win.

Messi has scored eight goals at this World Cup and, at 39, remains central to Argentina’s play, still capable of decisive moments through goals, assists, and game-changing plays. Álvarez, Martínez, Enzo Fernández, and Mac Allister have built a strong team around him. Argentina, who won the World Cup in 1978, 1986, and 2022, are making their sixth semi-final appearance and are chasing back-to-back titles. Should they beat England, Messi would be playing for a second consecutive title in what could be his final World Cup.

Four champions, two matches, one dream

All four teams France, Spain, England, and Argentina- are former world champions with major stars, and all four are now just two wins from the title. On one side, Mbappé’s eight-goal France face a powerful new generation of Spain; on the other, England, still chasing their first title in 60 years, face Messi’s defending champions Argentina.

Of the 48 teams that started the tournament, only four remain. After the semi-finals, two teams’ dreams will end while two advance to the final in New York/New Jersey. On July 20, one of these four greats will lift the biggest prize in world football.

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