The World Cup semifinals have been set with Spain taking on France and England facing Argentina, marking the first time the tournament’s final four are all ranked in the top four of FIFA’s world rankings. Each of the four teams boasts a generational talent chasing the sport’s most coveted prize. Spain’s Lamine Yamal will go head‑to‑head with France’s Kylian Mbappé, while England’s Harry Kane meets Argentina’s Lionel Messi just one day later.
As the tournament enters its final week, we rank the possible final matchups for Sunday at MetLife Stadium.
4. Spain vs. England
The prospect of Spain’s Lamine Yamal squaring off against England’s Jude Bellingham offers an exciting clash of rising stars. Tactical contrasts are also in play—Spain’s intricate, possession‑based approach versus England’s tendency to adopt a more conservative, pragmatic style. While England can be cautious, they are still capable of creating chances, as shown in their quarter‑final win over Norway.
3. France vs. England
A France‑England final would feature multiple inter‑generational battles, including Kylian Mbappé vs. Harry Kane and Michael Olise going head‑to‑head with Bellingham. France have been the benchmark of consistency in the tournament, rarely struggling, whereas England’s ability to dictate play could be limited by their defensive mindset, potentially reducing the entertainment factor.
2. Spain vs. Argentina
Argentina’s dramatic run to the final adds extra intrigue. The defending champions have survived extra‑time thriller matches against Cape Verde and Switzerland and a comeback from 2‑0 down to Egypt. Pairing that unpredictability with Spain’s technical proficiency would produce a captivating final, especially with Lionel Messi facing Lamine Yamal.
1. France vs. Argentina
Despite the repetition of a third consecutive World Cup meeting between France and Argentina, the matchup remains electrifying. Their previous clashes—the 2018 round‑of‑16 thriller and the 2022 final that ended in a penalty shoot‑out—set high expectations. Messi’s possible final World Cup appearance against Mbappé, who seeks to cement his legacy, promises a historic showdown that could decide not only the title but also the Golden Boot race.
