​The 2026 World Cup is down to its final four with the cream of the crop now so close to global glory that they can almost taste it.With dark horses now banished, the semi-finals are made up the world’s top four seeds according to Fifa’s world rankings – though it could have very easily not come to that.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementEngland and holders Argentina were both forced to extra time by Norway and Switzerland respectively, required to dig deep to keep their World Cup dreams alive. They now reignite their storied rivalry in a seismic semi-final clash, 40 years on from the ‘Hand of God’.And on the other side of the draw, it’s a battle of the favourites as Spain and France meet in a match many feel could be looked back on as the “real” final. Both have stormed through the tournament so far – who will be the one to stumble?Here’s how every team in the semi-finals stacks up in The Independent’s World Cup 2026 power rankings:Kylian Mbappe celebrates after France overcame Paraguay’s dirty tactics (Getty)France are the team to beat at this World Cup. That’s been the case since they hit 10 across the group stage to breeze to the top of the standings, and it’s stayed that way through the knockouts. It’s not been completely plain-sailing – their last-16 clash with Paraguay proved tricky due to underhanded tactics of the South American side – but if there were any doubts from that slender 1-0 win, they were banished in a convincing quarter-final triumph over dark horses Morocco.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDidier Deschamps has put together a so far untouchable unit powered by its unleashed attacking ranks, with Kylian Mbappe its greatest weapon. The Frenchman is the second to completely blow Miroslav Klose’s all-time scoring record out of the water this tournament, netting his 20th against Morocco. However, he is shaking off an injury from that last-eight clash going into the semis – Spain will be praying that his powers have waned as a result…Spain are into the quarter-finals after beating Portugal (Getty)Spain came into this tournament as the favourites but didn’t exactly show that right from the outset, unlike their semi-final opponents. That frustrating opening 0-0 draw with Cape Verde in Group H delivered one of the early shocks of the World Cup, though with Lamine Yamal back fit in the side they managed build up some steam – first with the thrashing of Saudi Arabia (as they were expected to do) before sealing top spot in the group by overcoming Uruguay in a fiery clash. In the knockouts, however, Spain began to really look like potential winners.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAfter brushing Austria aside in a 3-0 last-32 win, Spain broke first Portuguese hearts (including Cristiano Ronaldo’s) courtesy of a last-gasp Mikel Merino winner, and then Belgian hearts (especially Senne Lammens’) thanks to the same clutch Gooner. At the heart of Spain’s knockouts success has been their roc