The 2026 World Cup has lived up to the billing. It’s about to get even better. For the first time in World Cup history, the top four ranked teams by FIFA are alive in the semifinals. France, Spain, England and Argentina punched their tickets after successful quarterfinal outings. Although FI FA’s ratings can be subjective at times due to its points system, these four nations have been a few levels above the rest and deserve a spot with the whole world watching. Les Bleus have benefited from a light travel schedule and are blitzing through teams with a high-powered attack and underrated defense. La Furia Roja’s philosophy involves possession and patience. Both of those have been prevalent in their success so far. The Three Lions have survived tough tests amid constant injury issues and a demanding travel schedule, while La Albiceleste have had the closest calls against teams they should’ve handled more easily. Both of these teams understandably look tired physically, but there are bigger games to come. So, which possible matchup would make for the best viewing in the World Cup final? Let’s rank them from least to most entertaining: 4. England vs. Spain To start, all four of these matchups would be extremely enticing from both tactical and narrative standpoints. England and Spain would be a rematch of the 2024 UEFA Euros Final, which La Furia Roja won 2-1 thanks to a late Mikel Oyarzabal goal. Spain isn’t as dominant as that year with Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams playing through respective injuries, while England didn’t have current manager Thomas Tuchel yet. Yamal vs. Bukayo Saka, Rodri vs. Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham vs. Pedri are among the intriguing individual battles, but the other three matchups just have more impact to them. 3. Argentina vs. Spain Yamal vs. Lionel Messi. That’s the main selling point of this potential showdown. The past vs. the future. Two left-footed playmakers coming from Barcelona. The viral photo of Messi bathing Yamal as a toddler. It’d be a dream matchup from a storytelling perspective. Both teams also want possession of the ball and don’t mind needing to defend in certain spells of the game, though Spain has the upper hand on both aspects at the moment. It’s also a matchup the soccer world has been waiting for, as the 2025 Finalissima (later postponed to 2026) between both sides was canceled due to the conflict in Iran. 2. France vs. Argentina A rematch of the thrilling 2022 World Cup Final. Messi possibly passing the torch to Kylian Mbappe. France either getting its revenge or Messi guiding his nation to a historic and memorable repeat. There’s plenty to like from a narrative lens in this possible clash, but it just falls short due to the tactical standpoint. Compared to the 2022 sides, Les Bleus have significantly improved in all phases except at left-back. La Albiceleste have declined in many areas except for Messi’s individual brilliance. Argentina would need a lot to go its way to take down this version of Mbappe and France, which leads to the No. 1 spot. 1. France vs. England It’d be interesting to see how England look physically entering this game due to the vast difference in travel mileage accumulated for both, as well as France getting through games more smoothly. But in a final, you want the best possible matchup. France, on paper, are better than Spain, as is England with Argentina. Mbappe, Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano vs. Bellingham, Harry Kane, Saka, Rice, Reece James and Anthony Gordon could make for a special showdown. Both teams have also improved from their 2022 quarterfinal battle, which Les Bleus won 2-1 after Kane missed a penalty. ...read more read less