The FIFA World Cup 2026 is down to its final four teams, with the defending champions Argentina facing an unexpected challenge as they are considered the outsiders among the remaining contenders. The semifinals are set to feature the top four teams in the FIFA rankings, boasting a combined eight previous World Cup titles.

Argentina's journey to the semifinals has been far from convincing, with the team often struggling to find their form. They were pushed to their limits by lesser-ranked opponents like Cape Verde and Egypt in the knockout stages, only managing to prevail through dramatic circumstances. Their quarterfinal match against Switzerland in Kansas City further highlighted these struggles, as they went nearly 90 minutes without a shot on target after an early goal.

Despite these difficulties, the defending champions have consistently found a way to win, even when performing below their usual standard. This resilience was evident in their 120-minute victory over Switzerland, a match played in sweltering conditions. A key moment in that game involved Switzerland having a player sent off, a factor that arguably influenced the outcome.

Looking ahead, Argentina faces a formidable opponent in England in the semifinals. Both Lionel Messi and England's Harry Kane have also shown flashes of brilliance but have not consistently performed at their peak during the tournament. The emotional intensity of this matchup, a historic rivalry, is expected to be high, with significant pressure on both sides.

Should Argentina manage to overcome England, and Messi find his top form against his old rivals, the confidence gained could provide significant momentum heading into the final. However, their performances thus far in the tournament do not strongly suggest this outcome is likely.

The path to the final four has been described as exceptionally kind to Argentina, with Algeria, Austria, Jordan, Cape Verde, Egypt, and Switzerland being noted as less challenging opponents than typically encountered at this stage of a World Cup. This suggests that their survival to the semifinals might be more a reflection of a favorable draw than of current form.

The semifinal clash between Argentina and England is anticipated to be a highly charged encounter. The emotional outpouring from Messi after their quarterfinal win against Egypt underscored how close they came to elimination, highlighting the pressure and stakes involved.

Ultimately, the question remains whether Argentina can recapture their championship swagger against tougher opposition. Their ability to overcome England, and then potentially win the final, hinges on a significant uplift in performance that has not been evident throughout their campaign in the United States.