Are Messi, Mbappe, Yamal and Kane in the best World Cup semifinals yet?

France, Spain, England, and Argentina have qualified for the 2026 World Cup semifinals, setting up a marquee clash of some of the sport's biggest stars including Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal, and Harry Kane. The article, published on July 13, 2026, questions whether the performances of these nations will live up to the reputations of their star players. The four countries represent some of the most decorated football nations in the world, raising expectations for what could be a historic semifinal round.