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4 giants, one trophy: Mapping the potential World Cup final matchups
13th July, 2026 08:04 AM
The race for the 2026 World Cup has now been reduced to the four last-standing teams ahead of the decisive semifinal duels kicking off on Tuesday, July 14, and Wednesday, July 15, 2026.
The semi-finals are set to produce the pinnacle of footballing action after four of the world’s highest-ranked national teams all advanced to the final four in North America.
Argentina’s dramatic 3-1 extra-time victory over a 10-man Switzerland side on Saturday, July 11, 2026, ensured that for the first time in history, the top four ranked teams in the world reached the semifinals together.
They joined England, who beat Norway 2-1; European champions Spain; and 2022 beaten finalist France among the last men standing.
Here is a look at the potential World Cup finals awaiting after the conclusion of the semifinal games.
France vs England
If the Les Bleus overcome Spain and Thomas Tuchel’s side defeats Argentina, the New York New Jersey Stadium will play host to a first World Cup final between these two European titans.
The Three Lions have only reached the final once, when they took on West Germany on home soil in 1966, beating them 4-2 after extra time. France, meanwhile, could secure a third consecutive final berth after 2018 and 2022.
It would be a tie that pits teammates from two of the world’s biggest clubs against each other for one unforgettable evening. Real Madrid stars Mbappe and Jude Bellingham would cross swords for a chance to lift the glittering trophy, while Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane and Michael Olise would also be on opposing sides.
England would also be keen for revenge against a France side that knocked them out of the Qatar 2022 tournament in the quarter-finals.
France vs Argentina
This match would mark a repeat of the thrilling final of Qatar 2022, a contest that many have been hoping to see play out all over again.
Three and a half years since the Albiceleste got the better of France on penalties after a 3-3 draw at Lusail Stadium, the two sides could once again do battle to win football’s biggest prize.
Les Bleus would be looking for payback against the opponents who handed them such a bitter defeat, while Argentina’s goal would be to add a fourth star to their crest and become the first team to retain the trophy since Brazil in 1958 and 1962.
The clash would also set a mouth-watering encounter between Mbappe and Lionel Messi, the tournament’s joint-top scorers on eight goals apiece.
Spain vs England
The World Cup 2026 final would be a rematch of the Euro 2024 showpiece. Two years after La Roja claimed a 2-1 win over the Three Lions in the final of EURO 2024, Harry Kane and co. would have the chance to get revenge. England and Spain have only reached the final once, in 1966 and 2010, respectively, both going on to lift the trophy.
A World Cup match between the two would be a rare event in and of itself. While these European giants have clashed several times in continental competitions, they have only ever come up against each other twice at the World Cup. They first met in Brazil in 1950, with La Roja enjoying a 1-0 victory in the group stage. More than three decades later, they met in 1982 and played out a goalless draw, which meant both teams were eliminated from the second group stage.
Spain vs Argentina
This tie would be another major appeal of a first-ever World Cup final contested by the champions of Europe and the champions of the world.
If Spain and Argentina clear the last hurdle on the road to New York/New Jersey, we would be witnessing an all-Spanish-speaking final, one which has been a rare occasion at the World Cup but not without precedent.
If it does come down to La Roja and Albiceleste, it would be the first clash between the two since the group stage of the 1966 tournament in England, when the South Americans won 2-1.
