Cote: More than Messi/Mbappe, why this is World Cup’s best final four ever | Opinion
This is the best men’s World Cup final four ever. In 96 years of them, none has been what this one is. It is as perfect as a free kick off Lionel Messi’s left foot that dances bending over the wall and unstoppably into the upper right corner of the net.
FIFA, the sport’s international governing body, does not deserve this. It’s like somebody who has done hard time for fraud winning the Powerball.
But here they are, two flawless, heavyweight semifinal matches that are a gift to the world: France vs. Spain on Tuesday in Dallas, and then Argentina vs. England on Wednesday in Atlanta. The quartet might only be better if a time vortex dropped Pele’ and Maradona, in their primes, back onto the pitch.
No matter the semifinal results, the stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where the Giants and Jets do all of their losing will be gifted an epic World Cup championship matchup on Sunday.
And FIFA somehow wins again, despite itself. Because the globe’s most popular sport — the players in uniform who give life to the Beautiful Game — has delivered majestically despite the men in suits running it.
Most will recall the FIFA corruption scandal that in 2015 revealed a near quarter century of widespread, systemic bribery. More than two dozen FIFA executives were implicated. Bribery had been involved in awarding the 2018 World Cup hosting rights to Russia and the 2022 event to Qatar. The U.S. Department of Justice indicted 14 FIFA officials for accepting about $150 million in bribes across two decades. Arrests ensued. FIFA President Sepp Blatter resigned surrounded by scandal.
Ten years later, the “new” FIFA has seen a success of this World Cup hosted by the United States (primarily), Canada and Mexico — but the unseemliness that seems in the governing body’s DNA arose again. It happened when FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who had awarded a made-up FIFA peace prize to U.S. President Donald Trump, acquiesced to Trump’s call for the overturning of the red-card suspension of top U.S. player Folarin Balogun. It was the controversy of this tournament.
Now, though, the American team’s customary Round-of-16 exit, the Balogun fiasco and FIFA’s shady past recede as the overriding art of soccer/football/futbol at ts best takes over with a final four for the ages.
When I call this the best semifinals ever, I am not without evidence:
This is the first World Cup semifinals in history that features the top four teams in the men’s FIFA World Ranking: 1. France, 2. Spain, 3. Argentina, 4. England. No flukes here, no Cinderellas, no feelgood underdogs. All powerhouses.
This is only the second final four that includes the reigning champion (Argentina) and three other nations that also are all former champions. It last happened only in 1986.
And these semifinals present optimum starpower, led by the G.O.A.T. of G.O.A.T.s in Argentina’s Lionel Messi, and the likely G.O.A.T.-in-waiting in France’s Kylian Mbappe. They share the World Cup’s Golden Boot scoring lead with eight goals apiece. England offers the 1-2 punch of Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, and Spain presents the promise of budding superstar Lamine Yamal, who turns 19 today — 20 years Messi’s junior. Messi in the final four is alone worth the price of admission. Inter Miami’s megastar has further defied time and grown his legend in this tournament.
Our semifinals previews/predictions:
• France vs. Spain (Tuesday, 3 p.m., Dallas): This game is being played on Bastille Day in France, when the start of the French Revolution is annually celebrated as a public holiday. This time, back home, the French might have a second cause to celebrate Tuesday. The matchup is a fascinating contrast to anticipate: France’s Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele-led freewheeling attack vs. Spain’s attention to positional defense. It is with great intent “La Roja” and Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simon have allowed only one opponent goal this entire World Cup. Here, though, not even Spain’s defense may be enough for this challenge. The underdogs may need a breakout by the teen sensation Yamal, who has scored only one goal in the tournament and may need another Tuesday if “Les Bleus” of mighty France are to be upended.
History of teams’ World Cup semifinal results: France — Eighth semifinal. Champion in 1998, 2018. Runner-up in 2006, 2022. Third place in 1958, 1986. Fourth place in 1982. Spain — Third semifinal. Champion in 2010. Fourth place in 1950. Our pick: Mbappe and an attacking style reign. “Vive la France!”
• Argentina vs. England (Wednesday, 3 p.m., Atlanta): Remarkably, this will be Messi’s first-ever match vs. England. It might also be his World Cup-stage farewell, making the stakes here sentimental as well as gigantic. History is in play, too. Off field, these two nations fought the Falklands War in 1982. On the pitch, battles have included Maradona’s infamous (or celebrated) ‘Hand of God’ goal that helped “La Albiceleste” beat England in the ‘86 World Cup quarterfinals. Wednesday, Argentina attempts to move one win from being the first back-to-back champion since Brazil in 1958 and ‘62, again relying most on the 39-year-old Messi leading the slowest team (per average speed) of the 48 in this tourney. And England’s Three Lions — inventors of modern football — continue chasing a first championship in 60 years, which would mark the longest gap between titles.
History of teams’ World Cup semifinal results: Argentina — Seventh semifinal. Champion in 1978, 1986, 2022. Runner-up in 1930, 1990, 2014. England — Fourth semifinal. Champion in 1966. Fourth place in 1990, 2018. Our pick: I had been leaning Argentina — picked Team Messi to win on my own podcast this week! — but have changed my mind. England’s youth and speed will own the day.
Despite FIFA more than because of it, this World Cup has been an epic celebration of the global sport, and Tuesday and Wednesday’s semifinal matches make these the best two days of the five-week tournament.
Will Mbappe display why many think he’s the best there is? Can the teen Yamal stage a breakthrough performance with the world watching? Is England bound for its first crown since the days of Beatlemania? With gratitude and tears, will this be Messi’s farewell on the sport’s grandest stage ... or the bridge to one last game?
Best World Cup final four. Ever.
This story was originally published July 13, 2026 at 12:23 PM.
