​ARLINGTON, Texas — Cape Verde’s Blue Sharks brought joy and revelation. Mexico reintroduced the world to the wonders of Azteca. The U.S. performed with energy, excitement and elegance … until it all ended abruptly and horrifically.Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modrić made curtain calls. Brazil, Germany and Uruguay tottered and crashed. Egypt left furious and shattered. Morocco showed 2022 was no fluke. A tip of the cap to Curaçao’s Blue Wave, Ivory Coast’s Elephants and Panama’s Canaleros.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDutch fans danced left and right, Norwegians rowed into our hearts and the Scots drank Boston dry.But as the 2026 World Cup rounds into its final days, starting with Tuesday’s semifinal at the galactic stadium outside Dallas, a 48-nation tournament has narrowed to four standard-bearers. Everyone else will watch with envy from home.Not since 1990 has the final four featured nothing but previous champions and, for the first time, the last four is the first four in FIFA’s rankings.Suffice to say here in Texas, this ain’t their first rodeo.A general view of the Dallas Stadium in Arlington on July 12, 2026, ahead of the 2026 World Cup football tournament semi-final match between France and Spain on July 14.(FRANCK FIFE via Getty Images)In their third consecutive semifinal and fifth over 28 years, France’s twice-crowned Les Bleus will face Spain’s 2010-winning La Roja on Tuesday at 3 p.m. ET at climate-controlled AT&T Stadium. Twenty-four hours later in Atlanta’s roofed palace, reigning champion Argentina will face an English side determined to end a 60-year wait.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe survivors will meet Sunday at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.“Everyone is a heavyweight,” Spanish coach Luis de la Fuente said. “If we are talking about the gap between teams, we are evenly matched. It’s all very tight.”There are no decided underdogs to be found, unlike 2022 (Morocco), 2010 (Uruguay), 2002 (Türkiye and South Korea), 1998 (Croatia) and 1994 (Bulgaria).Tournament favorites when this jamboree opened more than a month ago, France and Spain will clash for the first time since last summer’s 5-4 ruckus, won by La Roja, in the Nations League semifinals. (Spain also won the Euro 2024 semifinal meeting.)AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThey’ve been on this collision course since the Dec. 5 draw in Washington, D.C., placed them in the same probable knockout bracket.“We know this might be a spectacular game,” said French coach Didier Deschamps, who will leave the program after 14 years and four World Cups — an uncommonly long tenure for a national team boss.Pressed on whether he still believes Spain is the favorite, Deschamps said, “Yes. If you’ve seen what they’ve done, they have confirmed they’re the favorite.”He grinned and added, “I don’t want to add extra pressure” on de la Fuente, who oversaw a Euro title two years ago.Since losing to Spain last yea