France, England, Spain and Argentina remain in contention for the FIFA World Cup 2026 title. Here are the four possible finals and the historic rivalries, revenge plots and records at stake
Mbappe, Kane, Yamal, Messi: The Four World Cup Finals Fans Could Witness
The race for the FIFA World Cup 2026 title is down to four football heavyweights—Argentina, France, Spain and England—setting up four possible finals, each carrying compelling history, fierce rivalries and the prospect of defining moments.
With the quarter-finals concluded, it is now certain that the 23rd edition of the FIFA World Cup will produce a familiar champion rather than a first-time winner. England and Spain are chasing their second world titles, France are aiming to become three-time champions, while defending champions Argentina are seeking a fourth crown and the chance to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to successfully retain the World Cup.
The finalists will emerge after France face Spain and England take on Argentina, with the championship match scheduled for July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium.
A France-England final would produce the first World Cup title clash between the two European rivals. England, whose only World Cup triumph came on home soil in 1966, would be aiming to end a 60-year wait for another title, while France would be bidding to reach a third consecutive World Cup final after their appearances in 2018 and 2022.
The contest would also feature several high-profile club teammates facing each other, including Real Madrid stars Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham, as well as Bayern Munich teammates Harry Kane and Michael Olise. England would also have an opportunity to avenge their quarter-final elimination by France at Qatar 2022.
A France-Argentina final would revive one of the greatest World Cup finals in history. Argentina defeated France on penalties after an unforgettable 3-3 draw in Qatar in 2022, denying Les Bleus back-to-back titles. Another meeting would offer France the chance for revenge, while Argentina would attempt to become the first defending champions since Brazil in 1958 and 1962 to retain the trophy.
The fixture would once again place Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe—currently the tournament’s joint-leading scorers with eight goals each—at the centre of the global spotlight. It would also complete a trilogy between the two nations after France’s dramatic 4-3 victory over Argentina in the Round of 16 at the 2018 World Cup.
Should Spain overcome France and England defeat Argentina, the World Cup final would become a repeat of the UEFA EURO 2024 final, where Spain defeated England 2-1. The Three Lions would be chasing redemption, while Spain would look to add a second World Cup title to the European crown they already hold.
Despite their rich football histories, the two nations have met only twice at the World Cup. Spain secured a 1-0 group-stage victory in 1950 before both sides played out a goalless draw in the second group stage of the 1982 tournament. More than four decades later, they could meet for the biggest prize in world football.
If Spain and Argentina advance, the final would pit the reigning European champions against the defending world champions in what would be a historic first for the World Cup.
The two countries have not met at the tournament since Argentina’s 2-1 victory during the group stage of the 1966 World Cup. The match would also present a symbolic clash of generations, with veteran Lionel Messi facing teenage sensation Lamine Yamal.
Victory for Spain would move La Roja level with France and Uruguay on two World Cup titles, while another Argentine triumph would secure a fourth crown, drawing them level with Germany and Italy and leaving only Brazil ahead in the all-time rankings.
