Expert Doan Minh Xuong: 'France and Argentina will reach the 2026 World Cup final'

According to expert Doan Minh Xuong, if any of the four teams—France, Spain, England, and Argentina—cannot reach the final, it would be a pity, and any team lifting the trophy would be a reasonable and convincing conclusion: "The dream semifinals are ahead. Both semifinal ties are balanced, high-level contests featuring the best in world football."

According to Coach Doan Minh Xuong, France versus Spain is essentially the "early final" of the 2026 World Cup. He said: "France and Spain represent a clash of two elite football philosophies. A modern Spain with its mesmerizing ball-control style will face France's versatile 'dance to any tune' approach. The appeal of this matchup also lies in recent history, as Spain beat France in the EURO 2024 semifinals and the UEFA Nations League.

France has proven to be the most talented team in the tournament, both on paper and in practice. They operate like a machine programmed to win, with incredible balance across all lines.

France's strength lies in their devastating attack, led by Kylian Mbappe, a star capable of deciding a match in a single moment. The combination of Mbappe, Michael Olise, and Ousmane Dembele creates a diverse, fast, and unpredictable offensive system. Behind them, center-backs William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano are at the peak of their careers, supported by versatile full-backs Lucas Digne and Jules Kounde.

This will be a top-tier tactical chase between a Spain obsessed with ball control and a French team boasting the lightning speed of their attacking stars.

Fans are eagerly awaiting the showdown between Spain's solid defense and France's dynamic attack. This match not only decides the ticket to the World Cup final but also serves as a statement of supremacy in world football.

For the French, their flawless performance so far reminds many of their 2018 championship run in Russia. In 2022, Kylian Mbappe and his teammates lost to Argentina, so their desire to win the Golden Cup this year is even greater. Whoever wins this matchup will march straight to the title, and I feel that the French team will achieve this."

Expert Doan Minh Xuong notes that England and Argentina are set to create a fiery semifinal due to their long history of rivalry: "From Maradona's goal in 1986 to Beckham's red card in 1998, every time these two football powerhouses meet, the football world is shaken.

It's clear that the England team has developed impressive resilience. Coach Thomas Tuchel has successfully built a tough collective that can withstand immense pressure from the fiery stands at the Azteca or the harsh heat of Miami.

The 'Three Lions' squad boasts world-class talents like Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, and Declan Rice. However, their championship ambitions are seriously threatened by an injury crisis. Declan Rice playing through pain, Bukayo Saka's availability in doubt, and Ezri Konsa being forced to play out of position on the right flank are personnel puzzles that Tuchel has yet to solve satisfactorily.

For Argentina, their greatest strength lies not in technical stats but in their championship DNA and the presence of Lionel Messi, who remains the soul and endless inspiration for the entire team.

In reality, Lionel Scaloni's squad has revealed fatal weaknesses. Their aging midfield, declining physically and lacking depth, has caused them to struggle even against weaker opponents.

Despite having a favorable bracket, Argentina still needs a real miracle from Messi to overcome the extreme challenges in the upcoming semifinal. It's very likely that the two teams will have to go to a penalty shootout to decide who advances to the final."