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The two finalists from Qatar 2022 are likely to resume as FIFA World Cup 2026 approaches.
Lionel Messi led Argentina to glory four years ago against France, the defending champions who won Russia 2018.
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Argentina and France defeated Croatia and Morocco, respectively, in the finals, both expected winners to reach this stage.
But this time, both the teams will face the top contenders for the title.
Al Jazeera takes a look at whether we are witnessing the best series of final four matches in World Cup history, and with it, perhaps, the best tournament in the sport.
Class of 2026 – France, Spain, England, Argentina
The 2026 tournament is the first time since FIFA began – in 1992 – that the top four sides in the world have reached this stage.
France are currently number one, and are led by one of the world’s most feared players, Kylian Mbappe, while also boasting Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele.
Argentina are in second place and are led by striker Lionel Messi who, after helping his team to third place in defending the World Cup, can be recognized as the greatest of all time.
Spain is ranked third and boasts La Liga star Lamine Yamal of Barcelona. The Spaniards have reached the semis with a poor defense, but now they can be set for Yamal to shake off the memory of the calf injury that made him miss the end of the domestic season and shine as he helped Spain to the title of Euro 2024.
England are the lowest ranked of the remaining teams but are seen as the second favorites to lift the trophy behind France. This is mainly due to the amazing talents of Harry Kane alone, and Jude Bellingham, who some say can be considered the best player to come out of England, should continue to pull in all directions.
There is also the feeling, however, that many of England’s players will now be allowed to come forward with the game open to more attacking opponents.
Russia 2018 – France, Croatia, Belgium and England
France lifted their second World Cup trophy as they beat runners-up Croatia to seal the crown. Croatia were very heavy, and they also beat an England team that looked like the finalists surprisingly.
Belgium enjoyed a long spell as the world’s number one side during this period, although their star-studded squad failed to reach their full potential at major tournaments.
Brazil 2014 – Germany, Argentina, Brazil and the Netherlands
The Germans claimed their fourth South American title after impressing rivals Brazil, thrashing them 7-1 in their last four matches.
Lionel Messi was named player of the match, but he could not do much to improve the game against the Netherlands and Germany. Both games went to extra time: Argentina sealed a 1-0 victory in the semifinal before losing on penalties after a 0-0 draw against the Germans in the final.
Germany’s Manuel Neuer was named player of the tournament, which probably said everything about Germany’s performance that year, making the game seem more lame than a free-kick. Much of what grabbed the headlines came down to Brazil’s undersized team.
Germany 2006 – Italy, France, Netherlands and Portugal
The final was marred by a header from Zinedine Zidane that led to a red card that would have ended his playing career, but overall, two sides went down following golden generations, and it ended with Italy taking their fourth title after penalties.
Young Ronaldo was due to make his debut on the international stage, but better days have come in Portugal, with Germany relying heavily on Bastian Schweinsteiger and Miroslav Klose at the other end.
Italy 1990 – West Germany, Argentina, Italy and England
Football was quiet, but the names were familiar. Considered to be one of the poorest World Cups to date, the football was conservative, and day-to-day chasers of any skill still dominated the game.
Germany were led and led by Lothar Matthaus, while Jurgen Klinsmann and Rudi Voller were the attacking duo who seemed to find a way to finish every cross and ball. The pair were enough to edge out one of England’s best generations – with Paul Gascoigne and Gary Lineker leading the way – in the semifinals, with Diego Maradona and defending champions Argentina in the final.
Italy’s Salvatore Schillaci etched his name into World Cup history as a standout player as he outwitted some of the bigger and better players to seal the Golden Boot with six goals.
Football was brutal everywhere, and the most romantic part of the tournament was the wonder of the Italian cities and their history, and the theme song of the tournament: Nessun Dorma, sung by Luciano Pavarotti. If the ball were to hit the same posts.
Mexico 1986 – Argentina, West Germany, France and Belgium
Argentina and, in particular, Diego Maradona shined in the final. Mainly because of Maradona’s second goal in his team 3-2 win against England in the quarterfinals, which also featured his famous “Hand of God” goal when the diminutive player defied English goalkeeper Peter Shilton to give him the ball in the air.
It was bloody and thunderous in the competition, and West Germany, France, or Belgium did not shine, but it was worthy of the mention of Maradona. His five goals were only scored in the Golden Boot and Lineker’s six goals.
West Germany 1974 – West Germany, Netherlands, Brazil and Poland
The world was introduced to “Total Football” in the 1974 edition, with Johan Cruyff setting the tone for Dutch passing and movement. It wasn’t enough to topple the hosts, however, who claimed their second crown.
Meanwhile, Brazil began a decline, which would last almost 20 years, following the resignation of Pele in the previous editions.
Mexico 1970 – Brazil, Italy, West Germany and Uruguay
The world began to see a new way of playing football: the Brazilian way. Pele appeared for the first time in the 1958 edition and was the only target of the boot boys – players who played the whole game kicking the opponents as much as possible – until the 1970 edition, when he joined the first international group of superstars.
England had the perennial talent of Bobby Charlton when they won in 1966, but it was a tough competition. Indeed, Pele received the full support of England in the quarterfinals, where Brazil’s bid for a third consecutive title ended.
However, in 1970, it was impossible to come close to the Brazilians’ speed and athleticism, as well as strength.
They were ahead of their time and remain one of the greatest to grace the game. He was also far ahead of any opposition.
Verdict: Is the class of 2026 the best World Cup roster?
It’s very difficult to see past the sheer amount of talent on display across all four sides; so that Messi and the defending champions are now seen as outsiders in the division.
The answer will definitely be in football, and the teams that had to endure not only the rise of technology and innovation in the world, but also the emergence of many new countries that will hope to hold their own in the coming years.
DR Congo and Cape Verde are delighted, and will give the world a taste of things to come, especially with the 64-team competition set for the 2030 edition.
At the moment, all eyes are on four colors, which can create the most beautiful moment in the world.
