And then there were four.
It's hard to ask for better World Cup semifinalists than France, Spain, England, and Argentina. Those four teams top FIFA's men's rankings at the moment. No matter who emerges victorious in the upcoming semifinal clashes - Les Bleus against La Roja and the Three Lions versus the Albiceleste - soccer fans are in for a treat in the July 19 final.
Here's how this year's potential World Cup final matchups stack up.
4. Spain vs. England 🇪🇸🏴
The footballing rivalry between England and Spain isn't the richest when it comes to history. But their most notable clash, the Euro 2024 final, is still fresh in the memory. La Roja claimed a record fourth European title by defeating the Three Lions 2-1, with substitute Mikel Oyarzabal scoring the 86th-minute winner. A 2026 rematch would give England a great shot at revenge on soccer's grandest stage.
This potential meeting would offer an excellent matchup of playing styles. Spain is known for its possession-based, technical tactics under Luis de la Fuente, often retaining the ball as a form of defense and suffocating its opponents. Thomas Tuchel's England, meanwhile, boasts a more traditional, physical team with tactical versatility and match-winning players.
Let's not forget about the talent crossover at the club level, either. England standout Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) plays in La Liga, while Spain star Rodri (Man City) has been one of the Premier League's best players in recent years. Since 2000, there have been five UEFA Champions League finals between Spanish and English clubs; EPL teams have lost all of them.
Spain and England have met at the World Cup twice. La Roja claimed a 1-0 group-stage victory in 1950, and the sides played out a goalless draw in 1982 during the second group stage at the Bernabeu.
3. Spain vs. Argentina 🇪🇸🇦🇷
Lamine Yamal vs. Lionel Messi? Yes please.
The Argentina playmaker has aged like fine wine at the World Cup. He has defied Father Time at 39 and, of course, will forever be linked to Spanish soccer as an all-time Barcelona icon. Yamal, Barca's newest superstar, hasn't quite met the sky-high expectations this summer - mainly because he arrived at the tournament nursing an injury - but, at 19, he remains the sport's best young player.
There's only ever been one World Cup meeting between Spain and Argentina; the Albiceleste beat La Roja 2-1 in 1966. Argentina fans also remember their 4-1 friendly win over a Spain side fresh off a 2010 World Cup title. Meanwhile, the Spaniards will never forget their 6-1 rout of a Messi-less Argentina in 2018.
Spain has allowed only one goal in this tournament, but it's still not firing on all cylinders. Argentina, meanwhile, barely beat Cape Verde, Egypt, and Switzerland in the knockout stage. Does that mean a potential matchup between them wouldn't be must-watch TV? Nope. They boast more than enough star power and would make for a culture-rich rivalry bout.
2. England vs. France 🏴🇫🇷
England and France have a long history that needs little introduction. They have both produced immense talent - historically and in recent years - and are very familiar with each other in major tournaments.
You probably remember the 2022 World Cup quarterfinals, their first-ever knockout meeting. France took down England 2-1 after Harry Kane fired a late penalty over the bar - a rare miss from the spot - that could've forced extra time. Kane going up against Les Bleus with a chance to rewrite this chapter in his World Cup legacy would be spectacular theater.
About England stars missing penalties against France in high-stakes meetings: David Beckham also failed to convert his attempt in the Euro 2004 group stage. England would've doubled its lead in the 73rd minute. Instead, it was punished with a Zinedine Zidane stoppage-time brace that completed a dramatic French comeback.
At least the Three Lions took the head-to-head matches in the 1966 and 1982 World Cup group stages. One of those runs ended with their first - and, to date, only - title.
Tuchel has had success with his defensive tactics in this knockout stage. A 10-man England held on to its one-goal lead against host Mexico in front of an electric Azteca crowd in the last 16. And the Three Lions were the only team to make Erling Haaland look human at this tournament in their win over Norway. It'd be fascinating to see how Tuchel would try to slow down France's star-studded attack led by Kylian Mbappe.
1. France vs. Argentina 🇫🇷🇦🇷
As great as the aforementioned tilts would be, a 2022 final rematch between France and Argentina is what soccer fans really need. Only once have the same teams played for glory in consecutive World Cups (West Germany against Argentina in the 1986 and 1990 finals).
Four years ago, the Albiceleste became champions after taking down Les Bleus in arguably the greatest World Cup match ever. In case you need a refresher: Argentina went up 2-0 before a late Mbappe brace in under two minutes - and largely out of nowhere - helped France force extra time. Messi and Mbappe then each scored again to send the nail-biting 3-3 final to a shootout. Messi finally captured his first World Cup title on penalties, spoiling Mbappe's magical hat-trick.
That match was so good that we often forget the fact these two teams also met in 2018, when France eliminated Argentina with a wild 4-3 victory in the last 16. That's right, their last two World Cup meetings have featured 13 goals (five from Mbappe and two from Messi).
The storylines are endless.
Would Messi be able to stop Les Bleus' dominant campaign and break their hearts again? Could Argentina become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to go back-to-back at the World Cup? Can France, which would be playing in its third consecutive final, claim a second trophy in that span?
That's not all.
A France-Argentina final would likely also decide the Golden Ball (best player) and Golden Boot (top goal scorer) races at the 2026 World Cup. The top player award would presumably go to Mbappe or Messi if their team wins it all. The two stars also currently lead the tournament with eight goals each.
Finally, there would be history in the making on the benches, too. One of Didier Deschamps or Lionel Scaloni would become only the second man ever to claim two World Cup titles as a coach, joining Italy's Vittorio Pozzo (1934 and 1938). Deschamps - also a World Cup winner as a player in 1998 - was already in charge of France for its 2018 title. Scaloni, of course, was key in Argentina's incredible run four years ago.
