Top four ranked teams make semi-finals for first time
The top four FIFA-ranked teams have reached the World Cup semi-finals for the first time in history. This outcome was facilitated by a new tournament draw structure designed to ensure competitive balance by keeping top seeds separated until the final stages.
Why it matters
This represents a significant shift in tournament management and competitive integrity for international football, impacting how future World Cups are structured.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, The World Cup draw took place in Washington DC in December
Football issues correspondent Published 18 minutes ago The top four teams in Fifa's world rankings have made the semi-finals of the World Cup for the first time.
And the progress of Spain (1), Argentina (2), France (3) and England (4) was aided by a Fifa change for the 2026 World Cup.
They were put in separate quadrants of the draw so they could not meet before the semi-finals.
For that to happen they had to each win their groups - which they did.
The separation in the draw meant that Spain could not meet Argentina before the final.
Additionally, England and France were put in opposite sides of the knockouts and on a path to meet either Spain or Argentina in the semi-finals if they all progressed.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in