Which Semifinalist Has the Best Chance of Lifting the Trophy?

Updated by Faith Barbara N Ruhinda at 1140 EAT on Monday 13 July 2026

Forty-eight nations began their FIFA World Cup campaign on June 11 with dreams of lifting football’s most prestigious trophy, but only four teams remain in contention.

The tournament’s four highest-ranked sides, boasting a combined eight World Cup titles, will face off in the semifinals on Tuesday and Wednesday as they battle for a place in the final — a match expected to be one of the biggest sporting spectacles in the world.

The champions will be crowned at the New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday, July 19, where the two surviving teams will compete for global football’s ultimate prize.

Algeria, Austria, Jordan, Cape Verde, Egypt and Switzerland have arguably provided one of the easiest routes to the latter stages of a World Cup, yet Argentina have hardly looked convincing throughout their run.

La Albiceleste were pushed to the limit by Cape Verde and Egypt in the knockout rounds, needing late moments of brilliance to survive. That trend continued against Switzerland in Kansas City on Saturday night, where they managed just one shot on target in nearly 90 minutes after Alexis Mac Allister’s early opener.

The defending champions eventually secured victory after 120 minutes in demanding heat, but questions remain over their performances. Switzerland’s chances could have been different had they not been reduced to 10 men, yet Argentina once again demonstrated their ability to find a way to win even when they are far from their best.

However, they will need a significant improvement when they face England in the semifinals. England supporters could make a similar argument about their own team, with both Harry Kane and Lionel Messi failing to reach their usual standards in their respective quarterfinal encounters.

Messi’s emotional reaction at full-time after Argentina’s comeback victory over Egypt underlined just how close the three-time champions came to an early exit. In what promises to be another intense encounter against England, emotions are expected to run high, with both sides desperate for a place in the final.

If Argentina — and Messi, in his first-ever meeting with the Three Lions — can rediscover their confidence and eliminate England in the knockout stages for a third consecutive World Cup, the psychological boost and momentum heading into the final would be significant.

However, their performances in the United States this summer have offered little indication that such a resurgence is imminent.

Even if Argentina manage to reach the final, whether they would have enough to overcome either European champions Spain or France — a team they defeated on penalties in the dramatic Qatar 2022 final — remains a major question.

Messi’s emotional reaction at full-time after Argentina’s dramatic comeback victory over Egypt highlighted just how close the three-time champions came to an early World Cup exit. In what is expected to be another fiercely contested battle against England, emotions are likely to run high as both sides fight for a place in the final.

If Argentina — and Messi, in his first-ever appearance against the Three Lions — can rediscover their attacking flair and eliminate England in the knockout stages for a third consecutive World Cup, the confidence and momentum gained could prove invaluable heading into the final.

However, their performances in the United States this summer have provided little evidence that such a turnaround is about to happen.

And even if Argentina reach the final, questions will remain over whether they can overcome either European champions Spain or France, the side they defeated on penalties in the unforgettable Qatar 2022 final.

England have no new suspension concerns, with Jarell Quansah having just one match remaining of his two-game ban. They also received a boost from Reece James returning to action against Norway, while the team will be hoping Declan Rice can regain full fitness after making a 45-minute appearance despite clearly struggling after illness.

Argentina’s ageing squad have shown vulnerability against teams with pace, movement and individual flair, as demonstrated in their recent matches against Cape Verde, Egypt and Switzerland. England’s attacking options, including Bukayo Saka, Anthony Gordon and Marcus Rashford, could be well placed to exploit those weaknesses.

Beyond Lionel Messi, Argentina have offered limited attacking threat, although Julián Álvarez’s stunning goal against Switzerland could signal the beginning of a strong World Cup run for the forward.

Overall, England appear capable of reaching the final, but a potential meeting with France would present a major challenge, while Spain would also be a difficult opponent despite the added motivation of seeking revenge for their Euro 2024 final defeat.

-Aljazeera

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