The semifinals for the 2026 FIFA North America World Cup have been finalized, featuring all four top-ranked teams in a historic "dream matchup."
As of July 12, the quarterfinals concluded with France (FIFA rank 1), Argentina (2), Spain (3), and England (4) securing their spots in the semifinals.
This marks the first time in World Cup history that the top four ranked teams have reached the semifinals together. All four nations have a rich history of World Cup victories.
According to soccer statistics provider Opta, France has the highest chance of winning at approximately 34%. Spain follows with about 24%, England at 22%, and Argentina at 20%.
The highly anticipated match between France and Spain, dubbed a "preview of the final," will take place on July 15 at 4 a.m. at the Dallas Stadium in Texas. Opta predicts a 57.44% chance of victory for France and a 42.56% chance for Spain, indicating a favorable outlook for the French team.
France, aiming for its third consecutive final appearance, has dominated the tournament with six wins, scoring 16 goals and conceding only 2. Key player Kylian Mbappé leads the tournament with 8 goals, while Michael Olise has provided 5 assists, and Ousmane Dembélé has contributed 7 points (5 goals, 2 assists).
On the other hand, Spain, seeking to reclaim the title for the first time since the 2010 South Africa tournament, boasts a strong defense, allowing only 1 goal in 6 matches. Players like Lamine Yamal, Mikel Oyarzabal, and Mikel Merino, who scored decisive goals in the Round of 16 against Portugal (1-0) and the quarterfinal against Belgium (2-1), have been instrumental in their success.
On July 16 at 4 a.m. at the Atlanta Stadium in Georgia, historic rivals England and Argentina will face off. This will be their first World Cup meeting since the 2002 Korea-Japan tournament. Their encounters have always been significant, from the Falklands War in 1982 to Diego Maradona's "Hand of God" incident in 1986 and David Beckham's red card in 1998.
Opta forecasts a closely contested match, with England having a 51.27% chance of winning and Argentina at 48.73%.
England, aiming for its first title in 60 years since hosting the tournament in 1966, will rely on the performances of Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, both of whom have scored 6 goals in the tournament. Bellingham notably scored twice in the quarterfinal against Norway (2-1), helping his team in a critical moment.
Argentina, seeking its fourth title and second consecutive win, will be led by soccer legend Lionel Messi. Although he did not score in the quarterfinal against Switzerland (3-1), he provided an assist, making history as the first player to achieve a total of 20 goals and 10 assists in World Cup history. He has accumulated 8 goals and 2 assists throughout the tournament.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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