Tribal Football

Argentina complete World Cup record after landing semi-final spot

Argentina captain Lionel Messi.
Argentina captain Lionel Messi.Reuters

The four teams competing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-finals have now been confirmed.

Spain will take on 2022 finalists France on July 14 at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas followed by England vs. Argentina on July 15 at the Atlanta Stadium in Georgia.

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France enjoyed the most seamless passage into the final four, with a 2-0 quarterfinal win over Morocco, as Spain beat Belgium 2-1.

That means both teams have so far avoided needing extra time in any game on the road to the semis with Argentina going to 120 minutes in all three of their knockout stage wins - against Cape Verde, Egypt and Switzerland - and England required a Jude Bellingham goal in extra time to see off Norway n the last eight.

All four merit their spots in the semis and it has also created a World Cup first as the top four teams in FIFA's world rankings have made the semi-finals of the World Cup for the first time. 

Spain (1), Argentina (2), France (3) and England (4) have been helped in their efforts by a FIFA rule change ahead of the 2026 World Cup - where they would all be placed in separate paths of the draw so they could not meet before the semi-finals - provided they each won their groups.

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