World Cup 2026 and semi-finals promise to go down in history

The 2026 World Cup has reached the most anticipated stage with the participation of four "giants": England, Argentina, France and Spain. After Julian Alvarez scored the decisive goal in extra time to help Argentina overcome Switzerland in the quarter-finals, FIFA also had an almost perfect scenario for the semi-finals.

For the first time since the 1990 World Cup, the top 4 seeded teams have reached the semi-finals. More notably, this is also the first time in more than three decades that all 4 teams have ever won the world championship. That is what makes this year's semi-finals considered one of the most quality rounds in the history of the tournament.

Both matches fully converge the factors that create the attraction of the World Cup: professional quality, head-to-head history, stars and side stories.

The confrontation between Spain and France is seen by many as an "early final". The two teams possess the most impressive attack and defense in the tournament, and also represent two different football schools of thought. Spain continues to pursue their characteristic ball control style, while the French team maximizes the explosion of outstanding individuals under coach Didier Deschamps.

This is also a fateful rematch after the EURO 2024 and Nations League semi-finals, where Lamine Yamal and his teammates have repeatedly made Les Bleus suffer. On the other side, Kylian Mbappe is still the leader of the French team on the journey to conquer another world championship.

If Spain and France are the top matches in terms of expertise, then Argentina's match with England brings special historical and emotional value.

This is the first time the two teams have faced each other at the World Cup since 2002 and also the first confrontation between Lionel Messi and England in his career. The match takes place exactly 40 years after the famous clash at the 1986 World Cup, where Diego Maradona created two moments that went down in history with "the hands of God" and "the goal of the century".

The predestined relationship between the two football backgrounds has never faded. For Argentina, this confrontation is always meaningful beyond football. Meanwhile, England is facing the opportunity to end the thirst for a World Cup final that has lasted for decades.

Both teams also possess stars who know how to make a difference. Messi continues to be Argentina's biggest inspiration, while Jude Bellingham emerged as the new leader of the "Three Lions" after a series of excellent performances at the tournament.

Not only Messi, Mbappe or Bellingham, the semi-finals also gathered a series of high-performing names such as Harry Kane, Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise, Lamine Yamal and Julian Alvarez. The presence of the best players in the world further increases expectations for top matches.

The 2026 World Cup once lacked real big battles in the early stages, but all expectations seem to be focused on the last 4 teams. With professional quality, rich history and stars spread across all 4 teams, this year's semi-finals have enough basis to become one of the most memorable rounds in World Cup history.