​Rewritten: My World Cup semifinal rankings: Why France, Spain, England, or Argentina will (and won’t) win the 2026 FIFA title. Originally published by The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. With 48 teams entering the 2026 FIFA World Cup and only four left, the field has been whittled down to the semifinals. After evaluating the 32 teams in the knockout stage and then the quarterfinals, four soccer powerhouses remain in the race for the coveted global title. Even the most highly regarded squads have faced serious tests to reach this stage. England needed extra time to overcome Erling Haaland and a formidable Norway; Spain needed an 88th-minute winner to edge Belgium; France struck twice in the second half to beat Morocco. The Sporting News has ranked the four teams still contending for the 2026 title, assigning each a superlative that reflects the talent in the squad, current form, and their chances of lifting the trophy by tournament’s end.
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FIFA Rank: #1
Group stage: Round of 16: W 3-2 vs. Egypt
Quarterfinals: W 2-1 vs. Switzerland (a.e.t.)
Argentina entered this tournament with obvious weaknesses, yet they continued to paper over the gaps with exceptional fortitude and Lionel Messi’s magic. That resilience has carried them to the semifinals, aided in part by a relatively favorable bracket, but it has also raised serious questions about their title chances. In midfield, they have looked diminished in all three matches, unable to impose their typical control. When they do gain a foothold, they risk inviting counterattacks. While Messi remains an all-time legend, the squad possesses depth, talent, and star power capable of beating any opponent, and they could still become the first team since the 1960s to defend the World Cup title. However, watching three consecutive games where they resemble themselves far less than in past campaigns is unsettling, even with a softer draw. Argentina has long made its living by being tough to beat, but in their current form—waning athleticism and less bite in the midfield—it’s hard to envision them overcoming elite opposition later in the tournament. Why Argentina will win the World Cup: They have been here before and, for six years running, have been the world’s most difficult team to defeat. That experience, combined with the individual brilliance and depth across their squad, keeps them in the conversation as potential champions. Nonetheless, the present realities—midfield fragility, reduced pace, and gaps in consistency—make the triumph feel increasingly precarious despite their pedigree.