Argentina, France, Spain and England have reached the World Cup semi-finals as the four top-ranked teams in the world, a first since FIFA introduced its rankings system in 1992.
All four nations have won the tournament before, and five of the six top goal scorers at this World Cup remain in contention.
France meet Spain in Arlington, Texas, on Tuesday, and England face Argentina in Atlanta on Wednesday.
Elite Rankings and Historical Precedent Define the Final Four
This marks the first time since 1990 that every semi-finalist has previously lifted the trophy. England and Argentina both featured in that 1990 edition, though they did not meet each other.
Argentina entered as defending champion that year after beating West Germany in the 1986 final, then lost to the same opponent in the 1990 final. A repeat of the 2022 final between France and Argentina remains possible if both teams advance past this round.
Argentina and England carry additional history into their meeting. The rivalry stretches back to Antonio Rattin’s sending-off in the 1966 quarterfinal and Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal in 1986.
David Beckham was dismissed against Argentina in 1998 before scoring the winning penalty against the same opponent four years later. Tensions between the countries also trace back to the 1982 conflict over the Falkland Islands.
France and Spain, meanwhile, meet for the second time in two years after Spain won 2-1 at Euro 2024, a match that featured a 16-year-old Lamine Yamal. Spain went on to win that tournament by beating England in the final. Kylian Mbappé played through a broken nose in that Euro clash; this time, France enter as the tournament’s most dominant attacking side.
Golden Boot Race Stays Open Among Leading Scorers
Mbappé and Lionel Messi share the tournament scoring lead with eight goals apiece, followed by Erling Haaland on seven despite Norway’s elimination. Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane have scored six goals each, while Ousmane Dembélé has five. Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal sits on four and could climb the list if his side advances past France.
Messi also leads the all-time World Cup scoring chart with 21 goals, one ahead of Mbappé. At 39, Messi is playing in what is widely expected to be his final World Cup and will face England for the first time in his career.
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Argentina Chase Back-to-Back Titles as Messi Eyes Second Trophy
A title for Argentina would give Messi two World Cup wins as a player, matching Diego Maradona’s tally, and would make Argentina the first side to win consecutive titles since Brazil in 1958 and 1962. Pelé was part of that Brazil squad and later added a third title in 1970.
Spain has conceded only one goal across the tournament, the fewest of any remaining side, while relying on substitute Mikel Merino’s late strikes to eliminate Portugal and Belgium.
France has won all six of its matches so far, scoring 16 goals behind Mbappé, Dembélé and Michael Olise. England has needed extra time twice in the knockout rounds, most recently against Norway in the quarter-finals.
The final will be played in New Jersey on July 19.
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