2026 World Cup: Heavyweights battle for trophy as semi-final clashes begin
Four Teams Remain in 2026 World Cup
As the 2026 World Cup progresses, four teams stand poised for the tournament’s final stages. This year marks the first time the competition has expanded to 48 teams, resulting in an unprecedented number of debut participants.
Teams from Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan have made their first appearances in the World Cup. Among them, Cape Verde has captured significant attention, emerging as a standout competitor.
The island nation began its tournament run with a notable 0-0 draw against the reigning European champions, Spain. Cape Verde followed up with a 2-2 draw against Uruguay and another 0-0 tie with Saudi Arabia, securing a place in the knockout stage as runners-up from Group H. However, their journey ended in a narrow 3-2 defeat to the world champions, Argentina, in the Round of 32.
“Cape Verde gave us four classic matches, characterized by remarkable performances,” said Clinton McDubus, a football analyst and podcaster. “To not lose in regulation time throughout the tournament, especially against two of the eventual semifinalists, is exceptional.”
Other notable teams that faced early exits included football powerhouses such as Nigeria and Italy. Additionally, South Korea and Senegal were seen as disappointments. McDubus remarked, “South Korea’s exit in the group stage was unexpected, given their talented players. Similarly, Senegal’s performance fell short of expectations, particularly considering the depth of their squad.”
Despite the surprises, the final four teams left in the tournament—England, Spain, France, and Argentina—are as anticipated. One of these teams will be crowned the world champion this weekend.
“I’m backing France to win,” McDubus added. “They have strategically minimized travel and haven’t had to push themselves to the limit throughout the tournament. Their strong game management and potent attack position them well for the finals.”
