BACKPanini Instant Recap: The Final Days of the FIFA World Cup 2026™
Written by: Julio Vega
In the weeks leading up to the FIFA World Cup 2026™, there was plenty of talk about what teams owned a realistic shot of going all the way. With exactly 100 matches done and just four remaining, only four squads actually remain: France, Spain, England and Argentina. Fun fact: It’s the first time since FIFA introduced its rankings in 1992 that the top four national teams were the four sides remaining at the semifinals. Plus, all four are previous winners, so somebody will add a fresh star above their crest.
According to those official rankings, France entered the tournament as the team to beat, and they’ve lived up to those standards throughout the showcase so far. They boast an attack that’s the envy of world soccer: Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Bradley Barcola and Désiré Doué — all of whom have found the net in this edition.
The defense has looked just as good, allowing just two strikes, which both came during the group stage. It’s going to take something special to prevent the side from reaching a third consecutive FIFA World Cup™ final.
Spain entered the global showcase as the No. 3 team, but they’ll want to end it as the top dog and add to their 2010 triumph. With Unai Simon manning the net, La Roja went five matches in a row without conceding. That record-setting run ultimately came to an end against Belgium in the quarterfinals, though the 2-1 win was certainly the more important achievement there.
The two Mikels in attack – Mikel Oyarzabal and Mikel Merino – were both key to the side’s charge to the semis. The former led the charge with four goals while the latter contributed two, both late winners in the knockout stages. Rising superstar Lamine Yamal, along with Álex Baena, Pedro Porro and Fabián Ruiz also found the net.
With these two powerhouses meeting up, it’s likely going to come down to a moment of magic.
On the other side of the bracket, the two semifinalists battled hard to reach this stage.
England entered as the No. 4 team in the world, not that that’s made things any easier. The Three Lions needed to dig deep to secure results in this tournament, including in its three knockout matches against Congo DR, Mexico and in a 2-1 victory over Norway in the quarterfinals.
It’s been the Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham show, both entering the semifinals with six goals and a collection of well-earned Panini Instant cards. The latter turned up the heat at the right time, scoring a brace in back-to-back matches to showcase his clutch play on the biggest stage.
Argentina, the defending champion and No. 2-ranked side, rounds out the final four. The country knew it had a target on its back and staved off everyone with its quality, staying perfect up to this point.
After cruising through the group stage, La Albiceleste has been forced into extra time in two of its three knockout stage games: against Cabo Verde and in a 3-1 triumph over Switzerland in the quarterfinals. Still, those hard-fought wins sharpened the South Americans at a critical point of the tournament.
Lionel Messi has been the star of the show, defying time and destroying records along the way to eight goals so far. He’s received help from Lautaro Martínez, who has found the net twice, and from six others who have also scored in this tournament.
Don’t be surprised if sparks fly between England and Argentina, given the historic rivalry, at this tournament and beyond, between these two powerhouses.
Time is running out at the FIFA World Cup 2026™, so be sure to grab a Panini Instant card featuring the tourney’s best and brightest before it’s all over!
