The 2026 World Cup is down to its final four: France, Spain, Argentina and England. One of them will be crowned world champions on Sunday in New York. For England, it offers the chance to end 60 years of hurt since their 1966 triumph. For Argentina, a shot at becoming only the third team to defend the title. And for France and Spain, a clash widely seen as the real final before the actual final.
At the time of writing, the semi-final line-up has France facing Spain on Tuesday, while England take on Argentina in Atlanta. Fifa's rankings list France (1), Spain (3), England (4) and Argentina (2) as the top four teams, making it a truly elite quartet. BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty says "it is very hard to see past France" based on their form, but adds that England "will, in my opinion, reach the final for the first time since 1966 by beating Argentina."
“Explaining the 2026 World Cup semi-finals: the four teams, key players and what it means for England.”
The tournament has been dominated by individual brilliance. France's Kylian Mbappe is averaging 1.28 goals and 0.48 assists per 90 minutes, according to analysis from Machine Football cited by the Mirror. Spain have been the meanest defence, conceding just one goal in six games, while relying on the youthful spark of Lamine Yamal. Argentina, as Spanish journalist Guillem Balague puts it, have "the best idea: doing more with less than anyone else" and will look to Lionel Messi or Julian Alvarez for a moment of magic. England possess two world-class players on top form: Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham.
For UK readers, the stakes are immense. England have not reached a World Cup final since 1966, when they won it on home soil. Manager Thomas Tuchel's side face a formidable Argentina side, but if they progress, a final against either France or Spain awaits. The Mirror's analysis suggests France's attacking power - with Mbappe, Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembele - is terrifying, but notes that France's defence, including William Saliba, has statistical quirks: Saliba ranks in only the 51st percentile for defensive duels won and the bottom one percent for interceptions, though he excels in ball-playing metrics. Spain, meanwhile, offer a different challenge with their control and efficiency.
Among the subplots is the referee for France vs Spain: Ivan Barton, who became a viral sensation earlier in the tournament. He was at the centre of one of its most memorable moments, though details of that moment are not provided in the sources. The match officials add another layer of intrigue.
Q: When are the World Cup semi-finals in 2026? The first semi-final, between France and Spain, is on Tuesday. The second, between Argentina and England, is in Atlanta. The final is on Sunday in New York.
Q: What is England's record in World Cup semi-finals? England have reached the semi-finals multiple times but have only played in one final, in 1966, which they won. They lost semi-finals in 1990 and 2018. This year's match against Argentina is their chance to break a 60-year cycle.
Q: Who is favourite to win the World Cup according to the sources? BBC Sport's Phil McNulty says it is "very hard to see past France", despite England's potential. French fans and journalists also express confidence, while some Spanish fans believe Spain will beat France and then win the tournament. Argentina are seen as a tough but not overwhelming side.
The next few days will determine which two teams reach the final. England must first overcome Argentina, a team that has been "playing with fire" according to Balague, but which knows how to win tight games. France and Spain face off in what many consider the more daunting semi-final. Whichever side prevails will have earned their place in the final, and for England fans, the dream of ending six decades of hurt remains alive.