​There are only eight teams left in the 2026 World Cup, and fewer than two weeks remain until the championship final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium. With a slimmer field, fans can start imagining potential finals matchups. A rematch of the 2022 final between Argentina and France looms as a tantalizing possibility, and a run from Spain, England, or Norway—whether for the first time in years, or ever—could inject fresh, compelling storylines into the title picture. Here are the five most likely World Cup final matchups.
To reach the final, Norway would have to navigate a challenging path. In their first World Cup since 1998, the Norwegians have already reached the quarterfinals for the first time ever, upseting Brazil to get there. Norway forward Erling Haaland has been a driving force as the team progresses, and the squad faces England on July 11 before potentially meeting Argentina in the semifinals. Two more wins would bring Haaland back to MetLife for a third appearance, a stage where he has already found the back of the net four times. In the other half of that potential bracket, France looks like the favorite to advance to the final, having reached the last two World Cup finals and aiming to cap Didier Deschamps’ remarkable current run with a third title as both player and coach.
If any squad can derail France before the final, it would likely be Spain. The Spaniards have not conceded a goal in five matches, rebounding impressively from an opening draw with Cape Verde. Eighteen-year-old star Lamine Yamal may have just one goal in the tournament so far, but his influence and the potency of a capable Spain attack keep them as a serious threat to the title.
Meanwhile, England could potentially topple Argentina, an outcome that may seem improbable to some but is increasingly plausible given England’s recent form. Argentina has looked vulnerable at times, barely edging past Cape Verde and Egypt to advance, while England’s Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, and their supportive crew have been delivering strong performances. If England can pull off an upset of Argentina, a France-England semifinal could become one of the tournament’s defining matchups, given the French attack’s consistency and depth. France’s offense has been exceptionally productive, delivering at least three goals in all but one match.
Kylian Mbappé has seized the scoring lead with seven goals, just one behind Lionel Messi for the Golden Boot race, and he sits only two goals behind Messi in the all-time World Cup goals tally, achieved in 12 fewer matches. He is supported by a high-powered French attack that includes Ousmane Dembélé, who is widely regarded as a key figure for France in this phase of the tournament. On the England side, Kane has six goals, and the English midfield and forward line have shown signs of growing cohesion and resilience, providing a convincing counterpoint to France’s potent frontline.
In this landscape, a France-England final would hinge on England’s ability to neutralize France’s dynamic attack while exploiting any gaps in Didier Deschamps’ plans. The tactical chess match between two globally renowned programs would be a marquee climactic showdown, and with Mbappé’s form and Dembélé’s supporting presence, France would be a formidable favorite. Still, England’s bite and organization under pressure could force a different, equally dramatic conclusion if they can translate their domestic momentum into a World Cup breakthrough.
Altogether, the tournament’s late-stage trajectory promises a blend of familiar rivalries and surprising surges, with storylines that could reframe the legacies of coaches and players alike. Whether the final features a 2022 rematch, a debutant’s ascent, or a veteran-laden clutch performance, the path to MetLife Stadium is studded with subplots waiting to unfold.