For the first time, the World Cup semi-finals feature the four highest-ranked teams in FIFA’s rankings.
Spain (1), Argentina (2), France (3) and England (4) all progressed, helped by a FIFA change introduced for the 2026 World Cup.
The top four were placed in separate quarters of the bracket, ensuring they could not face each other before the semi-finals.
That setup required each to win their group — which they did.
The structure also meant Spain could only meet Argentina in the final.
Meanwhile, England and France were drawn on opposite sides, positioned to meet either Spain or Argentina in the semi-finals if all advanced.
FIFA said the adjustment was to promote competitive balance by creating two distinct routes to the semi-finals.
The semi-finals are now France v Spain on Tuesday, and England v Argentina on Wednesday.
A similar seeding approach is used at Wimbledon and in the revamped Champions League, where top seeds are separated in pairs.
FIFA rankings were launched in 1994, though they were not applied to that year’s World Cup.
In previous editions, top-four teams have failed to escape the group stage — including Belgium (2022), Germany (2018), Spain (2014), Italy (2010) and France (2002).
At every World Cup since 1998, the top-ranked teams had not all reached the semi-finals — until now.