It's semifinals time at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the stakes couldn't be higher: four powerhouses battling it out for a spot in Sunday's Final. France, with their absolute machine-like play, look like the team to beat, with five B/R Football writers all picking them to advance past Spain.
France Is a Well-Oiled Machine, Can Anyone Stop Them?
Look, Spain's got that unique ability to control the ball super high up the field, right? That's gonna test France like no other team has managed so far in this tournament. Spain's even got a sturdy defense. But let's be real: France is just built different. They've got an elite center-back duo, a rock-solid midfield, and a transition attack that's top-tier. Manager Didier Deschamps has this squad looking like a well-oiled machine, and they've looked unstoppable. Every single B/R Football writer is calling this for France. Joe Lowery and Alex Windley both see a tight Spain 1-2 France win. Leo Collis is predicting a clean Spain 0-2 shutout for Les Bleus, and Nick Akerman thinks it'll be Spain 0-1 France. Calum Rogers is also on the "France win 2-1" train. Why? Because Kylian Mbappé right now? He's just impossible to pick against. Spain's attack looks a little undercooked, and France has faced all types of opponents and found a way to win. They've had greater success finding the net, and their defense has been lockdown all tournament. This team is determined to make it back to the final, and it's hard to see anyone stopping them.Messi vs. Bellingham: Who's Got the Magic?
Now this one? Argentina vs. England? It's gonna be a battle. Both squads haven't exactly been 'convincing' this tournament, stumbling through to the semis after putting in some serious hard yards. England looked cumulatively tired after grinding out matches against Norway and Mexico in the last round. It's tough to bet against Lionel Messi, especially when he's looking to get back to the final. Argentina's got a physical advantage in midfield and quickness on the wings. But here's the kicker: their defense looks rather suspect. On the flip side, Thomas Tuchel's England has just kept finding ways to win throughout the tournament. The B/R writers are split here, making this a truly tough call. Joe Lowery and Calum Rogers both think England gets it done, with Lowery predicting a Argentina 1-2 England (AET) win and Rogers going for an England win 1-0 victory. Leo Collis sees it going all the way to penalties, with England putting their historic spot-kick woes aside to progress. But Nick Akerman and Alex Windley are backing Argentina, both predicting an Argentina 2-1 England (AET) win for La Albiceleste, with Akerman seeing a rematch of four years ago. This game could easily come down to one moment of magic, and Jude Bellingham seems like the guy more likely than anyone to send his team to New York. So there you have it, two absolute heavyweight clashes for a spot in Sunday's final. France looks like the clear favorite against Spain, but the Argentina vs. England match is anyone's game. Get ready for some wild soccer, because these teams are leaving it all out there for a shot at glory!This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.