Lionel Messi goes top of the creativity category while a trio of Spain defenders sit atop that section of the FIFA Power Rankings, ahead of their showdown in the tournament decider.

Lionel Messi has already rewritten countless records, but one of the game's strangest World Cup trends still stands in his way.

The round of 16 is set, and with more than half of the field already heading home, the 2026 World Cup is beginning to separate the genuine contenders from the unforgettable stories. France continue to look like the team to beat,

Spain are through to the FIFA World Cup 2026 final, while the Golden Boot race remains finely poised. Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé lead the standings, with Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Mikel Oyarzabal still chasing the tournament's top-scorer award.

India, July 15 -- The race for the prestigious FIFA World Cup 2026 Golden Boot has reached a boiling point following Spain's commanding 2-0 semifinal triumph over France at Dallas Stadium on July 14.

SportsLine's Jon Eimer reveals his France vs. Spain best bets for their FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinal match on Tuesday

This year’s World Cup semifinals are the first in history featuring the top four teams in the FIFA rankings. The four pre-tournament favorites all got through to the final four as France (No. 1) will meet Spain (No.

With Argentina, France, Spain and England making it into the semis, here are the four potential finals, all of which would contain rich storylinesSo it comes down to France, Spain, England or Argentina.