FIFA top‑ranked nations set semifinal record at World Cup 2026

For the first time since the FIFA rankings were introduced, the four highest‑ranked national teams – Spain (rank 1), Argentina (rank 2), France (rank 3) and England (rank 4) – have all reached the semifinals of the 2026 World Cup. The new draw format placed each of these teams in separate quarters and required them to win their groups, a condition they all met.

The semifinal pairings are Spain versus France at AT&T Stadium in Dallas and England against Argentina at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium in Atlanta. England secured its place after a dramatic extra‑time victory over Norway, while Argentina advanced despite never meeting a top‑10 opponent, defeating lower‑ranked sides such as Cape Verde, Egypt and Switzerland, two of the matches also requiring extra time.

The achievement highlights the impact of the revised tournament structure and marks a historic milestone in World Cup history.