World Cup 2026: France, Spain, England, and Argentina Battle for Spots in the Final
As the tournament reaches its penultimate stage, football analysts weigh the prospects of a France-Argentina rematch against challenges from Spain and England.
The 2026 World Cup semi-finals are set to begin on Tuesday, with four of global football’s heavyweight nations competing for a place in Sunday’s final in New York/New Jersey.
The matchups present the possibility of a repeat of the remarkable 2022 final between Argentina and France. However, England and Spain stand as the formidable obstacles attempting to prevent a rematch of the Qatar epic.
Ahead of the highly anticipated fixtures, football analysis outlet 101GreatGoals has issued predictions for both semi-final ties.
France v Spain in Texas
Tournament favourites France enter the semi-finals having scarcely been tested on their route to the last four. The squad led by Didier Deschamps has yet to concede a goal in the knockout rounds, securing relatively comfortable victories over Paraguay and Morocco, where passive opposition offered minimal threat.
Spain, the reigning European champions, are expected to provide a much sterner test for the French backline, despite having been unconvincing in reaching this stage of the tournament.
Historical matchups favor Spain, who defeated France 5-4 in a Nations League clash last June—marking their second consecutive victory over the French side. Spain also defeated France 2-1 in the semi-finals of Euro 2024.
Key players will dictate the outcome in Texas. For Spain, the focus centers on whether young talent Lamine Yamal can rise to the occasion. Yamal scored a stunning opening goal against France at Euro 2024 and scored twice in the Nations League fixture, though he has found the net only once during this World Cup campaign.
France boast talisman Kylian Mbappe in scintillating form. With Spain showing defensive vulnerabilities in their match against Belgium, the French squad remains confident of securing revenge and reaching a third consecutive World Cup final.
Prediction (101GreatGoals): France 3-2 Spain
England v Argentina in Atlanta
Defending world champions Argentina have endured an exhausting path to the semi-finals. The team coached by Lionel Scaloni was pushed to extra time by both Cape Verde and Switzerland. These grueling 120-minute matches came on either side of a dramatic last-16 encounter with Egypt, where Argentina came from 2-0 down late in the game to win 3-2.
The semi-final marks a historic milestone: Lionel Messi’s first-ever meeting with England. It is also the first time Argentina will face their most fierce non-South American rival since a memorable friendly in 2005, which the Three Lions won 3-2.
England, managed by Thomas Tuchel, have struggled to find their best form. The team continues to manage selection issues at the right-back position, alongside ongoing concerns regarding the fitness of midfielder Declan Rice.
However, England possess a major asset in Jude Bellingham, who is currently rivalling Messi and Mbappe in the Golden Ball stakes. Alongside captain Harry Kane, Bellingham’s form remains a crucial factor for England.
After playing in energy-sapping heat in Miami, England will benefit from returning to the air-conditioned stadium in Atlanta. With slightly fewer miles in their legs, Tuchel’s side will look to end Argentina’s run of narrow escapes.
Prediction (101GreatGoals): England 2-2 Argentina (England to win on penalties)
Historical Context: The England-Argentina Rivalry
The fixture between England and Argentina is one of international football’s most storied and intense rivalries. While the 2005 friendly was their last meeting, their World Cup history is legendary.
The rivalry intensified during the 1966 World Cup quarter-final at Wembley, but reached its peak in 1986 in Mexico City. In that quarter-final, Diego Maradona scored two of the most famous goals in football history: the controversial “Hand of God” goal, followed minutes later by the “Goal of the Century,” a spectacular solo run that secured a 2-1 victory for Argentina.
They met again in a dramatic round-of-16 clash at the 1998 World Cup in France, featuring a wondergoal from a young Michael Owen, a red card for David Beckham, and a penalty shootout victory for Argentina.
The Golden Ball Award
The Golden Ball is the official award presented to the outstanding player at each FIFA World Cup finals. A shortlist is drawn up by the FIFA technical committee, and the winner is subsequently voted on by representatives of the media. Past winners of the prestigious individual accolade include Lionel Messi (who won it in both 2014 and 2022), Diego Maradona (1986), and Zinedine Zidane (2006).
