World Cup semifinals feature four former champions

The world's four top-ranked national soccer teams, all previous World Cup champions, will meet in the semifinals this week, setting the stage for a historic conclusion to the 2026 tournament. France will face Spain on Tuesday, July 14, in Arlington, Texas, followed by defending champion Argentina versus England on Wednesday, July 15, in Atlanta. The winners will advance to the final on Sunday, July 19, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

This marks the first time since 1990 that the World Cup's final four has consisted entirely of past winners. The semifinals also represent a clash of the sport's current titans, with Spain, Argentina, France, and England having occupied FIFA's top four rankings for nearly two years. Spanish coach Luis de la Fuente acknowledged the high stakes, stating that each matchup could be a final in itself and emphasizing the need for his team to avoid mistakes and remain sharp.

The first semifinal pits France's formidable attack against Spain's stalwart defense. France, the 2018 champion and 2022 runner-up, features a forward line of Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, and Michael Olise. Mbappé is the joint-top scorer in the tournament with eight goals, while...