With only four teams left in the World Cup, the difference between glory and heartbreak often comes down to the finest margins. Argentina, England, France and Spain have all reached the semi-finals, but their paths have been shaped by very different styles and statistics.
Each of these teams has played six matches to get this far, though Argentina have played an hour more football than France and Spain due to extra time, and England half an hour more. That extra time is factored into the stats that reveal how each side really performs.
“Comparing the stats of the four 2026 World Cup semi-finalists.”
Reigning champions Argentina have scored the most goals of any semi-finalist (17) and have been the most clinical, converting 18% of their chances. But they have also been the least active off the ball: when playing time is taken into account, they have run the least and made the fewest sprints of the four remaining sides. They have been outrun by their opponents in every game so far and are the least aggressive at pressing high up the pitch.
France, two-time World Cup winners, have been the most dangerous going forward. They average the most goals per 90 minutes and have taken the joint-most shots, with the highest Expected Goals (xG) per 90. Defensively they are also strong, conceding just two goals in six games.
Spain, European champions, are the hardest-working team of the four. They run, sprint and press the opposition more than any other semi-finalist, enjoy the highest possession (66%) and share the joint-best passing accuracy (90.4%) with Argentina. But they have been less clinical in front of goal: despite taking as many shots as France (110), they have scored only 11 goals — almost a goal per game fewer.
England have been the least creative side of the four when both the number and quality of chances are measured. Yet they still score more than two goals per game, thanks to clinical finishing from Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane. Defensively, England have conceded six goals, the same as Argentina, and have given up the most chances of any semi-finalist. Argentina have been the least successful at keeping opponents out.
For English fans, the statistical contrast with Argentina is especially relevant. Both teams have conceded six goals, but England’s attack has been less creative while Argentina’s has been more clinical. England’s semi-final will be played at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, a climate-controlled venue with a retractable roof, so the heat and humidity that have affected earlier matches should not be a factor. However, FIFA protocol states that if lightning is detected within an eight-mile radius, the match must be suspended. It can only resume after 30 consecutive minutes without a strike, followed by a 15-minute player warm-up.
Q: Which team has scored the most goals in the tournament so far? Argentina have scored 17 goals, the most of any semi-finalist. France have 16, England have more than two per game, and Spain have 11.
Q: Which team is best defensively? Spain have been the most solid, conceding only their first goal in the quarter-final against Belgium. France have conceded just two goals in six games. England and Argentina have both conceded six, with England giving up the most chances and Argentina the least successful at keeping opponents out.
Q: Which team has the highest possession? Spain have the highest possession of any team at the World Cup, with 66%. They also have the joint-best passing accuracy (90.4%) alongside Argentina.
France and Spain meet in one semi-final on Tuesday, while England face Argentina on Wednesday. Both matches will decide who advances to the final and who goes home.