World Cup 2026: Top four ranked teams make the semi-finals for first time
For the first time in history, the top four FIFA-ranked teams—Spain, Argentina, France, and England—have reached the World Cup semifinals. This outcome was facilitated by a new draw format designed to keep top seeds apart until the later stages of the tournament.
Why it matters
The change in tournament structure reflects FIFA's efforts to maximize the commercial and competitive value of 'blockbuster' matches in the final stages of the World Cup.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, The World Cup draw took place in Washington DC in December
Football issues correspondent Published 12 July 2026, 05:26 BST 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.
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