As the 2026 FIFA World Cup draws to a close, there is a good chance that the two finalists for the Qatar 2022 tournament are on track to re-enter the tournament.
Lionel Messi led Argentina to glory four years ago against France, who were defending the title they won in Russia 2018.
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Argentina and France defeated Croatia and Morocco respectively in the semi-finals, both exceeding expectations to reach that stage.
This time, however, both teams will face teams considered to be strong contenders for the title.
Al Jazeera considers whether we are witnessing the best last-four line-up in World Cup history, and potentially the best finale of a beautiful match.
Class of 2026 – France, Spain, England, Argentina
The 2026 semi-final lineup will be the first time since the FIFA rankings began in 1992 that the current top four teams in the world will advance to this stage.
France currently hold the number one spot and are led by Kylian Mbappé, one of the most feared strikers in the world, as well as Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele.
Argentina is ranked second and is a team led by a player named Lionel Messi. Messi may be recognized as the greatest player of all time after helping his team defend their World Cup for the third time.
Spain ranks third and boasts La Liga star Lamine Yamal of Barcelona. Spain made it to the semi-finals despite a dismal defense, but the stage may be set for Yamal to erase the memories of a calf injury that sidelined him at the end of the domestic season and shine like he did when he helped Spain win the Euro 2024 title.
England are at the bottom of the remaining teams but are considered favorites to win the tournament after France. This is largely based on the incredible talent of Harry Kane as well as Jude Bellingham, but some have suggested that if he continues to drag his team through to the end, he could be considered the greatest player to come out of England.
However, there is a sense that England’s wide players may be allowed to play up front in this match, which begins against a more attacking-minded side.
Russia 2018 – France, Croatia, Belgium, England
France defeated finalist Croatia, clinching the title and winning the World Cup for the second time. Croatia were the overwhelming underdogs, defeating an England team that themselves looked like surprise semi-finalists.
Belgium enjoyed a long run as the world’s number one team throughout this period, even though their star-studded side failed to live up to their potential in major tournaments.
Brazil 2014 – Germany, Argentina, Brazil, Netherlands
The Germans defeated host Brazil 7-1 in the last-four encounter to win their fourth South American title.
Lionel Messi was named the best player of the tournament, but could do little to spice up the boring matches against the Netherlands and Germany. Both matches went to extra time, and Argentina won 1-0 in the semi-finals, but in the final they drew 0-0 with Germany before losing on penalties.
Germany’s Manuel Neuer was chosen as the tournament’s goalkeeper, which may speak to Germany’s efficiency that year. The fist fight in the semi-finals was seen as a simple blunder rather than the result of free soccer. Many of the headline-grabbing scorelines were due to Brazil’s dominant team.
Germany 2006 – Italy, France, Netherlands, Portugal
The final was ruined by Zinedine Zidane’s headbutt and a red card that ended his career, but overall both teams were sluggish following the Golden Age, and Italy won their fourth title after a penalty shootout.
It was the young Ronaldo’s first time in the spotlight at a high-profile international tournament, but while Portugal had better days ahead, Germany had an average squad that relied heavily on Bastian Schweinsteiger and Miroslav Klose.
Italy 1990 – West Germany, Argentina, Italy, England
The football was terrible, but the name was legendary. Regarded as one of the poorest World Cups of modern times, the game was still dominated by a conservative era in which players of all skill levels were lumped together.
Germany was led and commanded by Lothar Matthäus, with Jurgen Klinsmann and Rudi Voller forming a deadly combination in attack, and it seemed like every cross and through ball was finding its way. The pair were good enough to see off Paul Gascoigne and Gary Lineker, one of England’s greatest generations, in the semi-final, and Diego Maradona and defending champion Argentina in the final.
Italy’s Salvatore Schillaci stole the show from bigger and more glamorous players, winning the Golden Boot with six goals and etching his name into World Cup lore as an iconic player.
As brutal as soccer was throughout, the most romantic part of the tournament was the wonder of Italian cities and their history, as well as the tournament’s theme song, Nessun Dorma, sung by Luciano Pavarotti. If only football made the same noise.
Mexico 1986 – Argentina, West Germany, France, Belgium
Argentina, especially Diego Maradona, made the final exciting. The main reason for this was Maradona’s stunning second goal in his team’s 3-2 quarter-final win over England, which also saw him score the infamous “Hand of God” goal when the diminutive forward challenged England keeper Peter Shilton on an airborne ball.
Otherwise, the tournament was mostly blood and thunder, with neither West Germany, France nor Belgium particularly highlighted, although Maradona’s emergence was worth mentioning. His five goals won him the Golden Boot award only by Lineker’s six strikes.
West Germany 1974 – West Germany, Netherlands, Brazil, Poland
The 1974 tournament introduced the world to ‘total football’, with Johan Cruyff setting the tone for the Dutch’s incisive passing and movement. However, it wasn’t enough to defeat the host nation, who won the title for the second time.
On the other hand, Brazil has been in decline for nearly 20 years since Pele’s retirement at the last tournament.
Mexico 1970 – Brazil, Italy, West Germany, Uruguay
The world got its first glimpse of a new style of soccer: the Brazilian way. Pele made his debut in the 1958 tournament and was the lone target of the boot boys (players who spent the entire match kicking opponents) until the 1970 tournament, when the first great international team superstar was added.
When England won in 1966, they had the enduring talent of Bobby Charlton, but it was overwhelmingly a tournament of bullies. In fact, Pele was given the best treatment by England in the quarter-finals, and the Brazilian’s bid for a third straight title ended there.
However, in 1970, it was nearly impossible to come close to the Brazilian’s pace, play, and power.
They were far ahead of their time and remain some of the best players to grace the game. They were also a furlong ahead of any opponent.
Verdict: Will the Class of 2026 be the best semi-final squad in World Cup history?
It’s very difficult to look past the array of talent on display on all four sides. Messi and the defending champions are therefore considered outsiders at this stage.
The answer really lies in football, a team that has had to withstand not only the rise in professional tactical standards around the world, but also the emergence of so many new countries that want to remain their own for years to come.
The Democratic Republic of Congo and Cape Verde were delighted and gave the world a preview of what’s to come, especially as a 64-team tournament is being considered for the 2030 edition.
But for now, all eyes are on four countries that have the potential to produce some of the most beautiful moments of the global game.
