2026 FIFA World Cup: Top four-ranked teams make semi-finals for the first time
Fifa changed the draw process for the 2026 World Cup, resulting in the top four teams in Fifa's world rankings making the semi-finals for the first time. The progress of Spain (1), Argentina (2), France (3), and England (4) was aided by this change, which put them in separate quadrants of the draw so they could not meet before the semi-finals. Fifa described the move as ensuring "competitive balance" by establishing "two separate pathways to the semi-finals."
For this to happen, the teams had to each win their groups, which they did. The semi-finals are France v Spain on Tuesday, and England v Argentina on Wednesday. Fifa rankings were introduced in 1994, but not used for that year's tournament. Since 1998, the top-ranked teams did not all get through to the semi-finals at the remaining World Cups. Fifa officials were transparent about this move, stating they wanted to ensure the four top-ranked countries could not meet earlier in the knockout rounds.
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For the first time, the top four teams in Fifa's world rankings have all reached the World Cup semi-finals. This unprecedented alignment follows a
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