For only the third time in World Cup history, all four semi-finalists arrive with the tournament already won before, a feat previously achieved in 1990 and 1970.
France, Spain, Argentina and England make up this year’s final four, a lineup built on genuine pedigree.
France, champions in 1998 and 2018, made the semi-finals by beating Sweden, Paraguay and Morocco without ever looking troubled, Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele doing the damage in the quarter-final win over the Moroccans.
Spain, winners in 2010, have been just as ruthless in a different way, conceding only once all tournament on their way past Austria, Portugal and Belgium, the latter needing a late Mikel Merino strike to settle it.
3 – This will be the third FIFA World Cup in which all four semi-finalists are former winners (1990, 1970).
Pedigree. pic.twitter.com/dlC2QvBDOL
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 12, 2026
Argentina, chasing a fourth title after 1978, 1986 and 2022, have taken the hardest route of the four, needing extra time to see off both Cape Verde and Switzerland, and a stunning comeback from two goals down to beat Egypt in the round of 16.
England, champions on home soil in 1966, also needed extra time to get past Norway in the quarter-finals, having already survived a 3-2 thriller against Mexico while down to ten men in the previous round.
France face Spain in Arlington on Tuesday, while Argentina take on England in Atlanta on Wednesday, with a place in the final awaiting the winners.
Photo: Marc Atkins/Getty Images
