14 Jul,2026
1 hour ago
France (1), Spain (3), England (4) and Argentina (2) are the top four teams in FIFA's rankings. The World Cup is now at the business end. One of France, Spain, Argentina or England will be crowned world champions on Sunday in New York.
Is France against Spain on Tuesday in the semis the real final, as many are suggesting? Can Argentina become just the third team to defend their title? Will England end 60 years of hurt? BBC Sport has spoken to journalists and fans from the countries involved to see what they think is going to happen. We also want to know what you think, so please comment below.
Guillem Balague, Spanish journalist: Spain - the best team. France - the best player and the most frightening attack. Argentina - the best idea: doing more with less than anyone else. England - two world-class players on form. All four semi-finalists have what is needed to win the tournament.
If Spain take the ball off France and stop their counters - plus if they are more efficient than they have been - they have a very good chance of making it to the final. But they have to play the perfect game, with the perfect (or a very good) Lamine Yamal. Argentina will try to make the game against England uneventful, and then wait for a moment of brilliance from Lionel Messi or Julian Alvarez. But they have been playing with fire. England are still trying to find their identity but they have a huge amount of personality and two world-class stars. A final of Spain v England would be incredible. And in a way a win-win for me, but I would like England to win a World Cup soon. This could be the summer.
Spanish fans in the United States:
Culture, consistency and Lamine Yamal - inside De la Fuente's Spain. Merino the unlikely hero again - as Spain wait for Lamine Yamal show.
Phil McNulty, BBC Sports chief football writer: I would love to be able to say England, but the evidence of what we have seen so far in this World Cup tells me France will make up for losing to Argentina in Qatar in 2022 by lifting the trophy this time. England will, in my opinion, reach the final for the first time since 1966 by beating Argentina. But it is very hard to see past France's sheer attacking brilliance, with Kylian Mbappe on a mission and others such as Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise and Desire Doue backing him up.
This is before we even get to Bradley Barcola and Rayan Cherki, who were on the bench when Morocco were beaten in the quarter-final. So I see an England v France final, with Didier Deschamps making his farewell with a World Cup win - but my predictions have been known to be wrong before so there is plenty of hope for Three Lions head coach Thomas Tuchel and his players.
England fans in the United States:
Most clinical? Least creative? Best in the air? Comparing the last four. Chris Sutton's World Cup semi-final predictions. Abdoul-Karim, French journalist for TV5 Monde: We don't know what to expect from Spain and especially Lamine Yamal because he has disappointed a little bit at the start of the competition, but still he can wake up against France. But there is a lot of confidence in France.
This time there is no controversy or debate hanging over the team. It has been quite smooth compared to previous major tournaments. The whole of France will stop to watch this semi-final. Tuesday is Bastille Day and in some cities they have decided to postpone some fireworks. The fireworks will happen after the game, when the whole of France hopes to be celebrating a place in another World Cup final.
France fans in the United States:
BBC experts pick their England World Cup semi-final XI - do you agree?
Santi Sciola, Argentina journalist: I think France is the top team to win the title. Offensively, they have a team that strikes fear into everyone, and as the tournament has progressed they've also got better defensively. Of course, I hope Argentina wins the championship, they could easily do so because they're a team that plays with heart - but in terms of football, I see France as a step above everyone else right now.
Argentina fans in the United States:
World Cup fixtures and group standings. How to watch the World Cup on the BBC. Everything you need to know about the World Cup.