Can England or Argentina reach the 2026 World Cup final?
Yes — England and Argentina both have a credible path to the final, but analysts agree France and Spain remain stronger title contenders. The Athletic makes Argentina slight favorites to beat England on Wednesday, while Al Jazeera and Yahoo Sports rank both behind the European pair. With four games left in this historic sports semifinal, neither side is written off.
Forty-four teams are gone. France, Spain, Argentina and England are the last four standing at World Cup 2026 — the first time since FIFA rankings began in 1992 that the world's top four rated sides have all reached the semifinals, as Al Jazeera notes. France face Spain on Tuesday in Arlington; England meet Argentina on Wednesday in Atlanta.
Key Takeaways
- France remain clear favorites, with Spain close behind; The Athletic's projection tool even gives Spain a marginally better overall title chance.
- Argentina are favored to reach the final over England, despite being ranked fourth for trophy chances by Al Jazeera and Yahoo Sports.
- England have looked the least impressive semifinalist but keep winning tight knockout games, largely through Jude Bellingham.
- This is the first World Cup whose semifinalists match the top four FIFA-ranked teams entering the tournament.
- Argentina seek the first successful men's title defense since Brazil in 1962; England chase a first trophy since 1966.
Who tops the re-ranked World Cup semifinalists?
The Athletic keeps France first, citing Kylian Mbappé's eight goals, Ousmane Dembélé's five, and a defense that has not conceded in three knockout matches. Spain stay second after Mikel Merino's late winner beat Belgium; they have allowed just one goal in six games.
Yahoo Sports' power rankings also put France and Spain ahead, but flip the bottom two: England third, Argentina fourth. Yahoo credits England's knack for one-goal knockout wins, while Argentina's reliance on extra time and narrower attack options count against them. For more analysis across our coverage, see Future Tech & AI Wonders.
Can Argentina survive another knockout grind?
Defending a World Cup is brutal. Argentina needed extra time against Cape Verde, trailed Egypt 2-0 with 11 minutes left, and beat 10-man Switzerland in extra time again. They are the only semifinalist to face two extra-time games, which The Athletic warns could count against them.
Yet Lionel Scaloni's side did not need Lionel Messi against Switzerland, and The Athletic still makes them favorites to reach the final. Al Jazeera calls Argentina the outsiders among the final four, but adds that a knockout win over England — a rivalry Messi has never faced — could carry huge momentum into the decider.
Does England have enough to challenge France or Spain?
Thomas Tuchel was unimpressed after Bellingham's brace dragged England past Norway 2-1 in extra time, yet the Three Lions keep finding ways to win. The Athletic ranks them the least convincing semifinalist but notes the World Cup rewards results, not aesthetics.
Jordan Pickford's three saves mattered too. Yahoo highlights that England are not a one-man team, though only one other England player has scored in the knockout stage. Al Jazeera ranks England third for the trophy — ahead of Argentina — arguing their width could exploit an ageing Argentine back line. Whoever wins Wednesday still likely faces a European powerhouse in the final.