The top four teams in Fifa’s world rankings have made the semi-finals of the World Cup for the first time.
And the progress of Spain (1), Argentina (2), France (3) and England (4) was aided by a Fifa change for the 2026 World Cup.
They were put in separate quadrants of the draw so they could not meet before the semi-finals.
For that to happen they had to each win their groups – which they did.
The separation in the draw meant that Spain could not meet Argentina before the final.
Additionally, England and France were put in opposite sides of the knockouts and on a path to meet either Spain or Argentina in the semi-finals if they all progressed.
Fifa described the move as ensuring “competitive balance” by establishing “two separate pathways to the semi-finals”.
And now the semi-finals are France v Spain on Tuesday, and England v Argentina on Wednesday.
A similar approach happens at Wimbledon, and in the new Champions League format, at which seeds are kept apart in pairs.
Fifa rankings were introduced in 1994, but not used for that year’s tournament.
Belgium (2022), Germany (2018), Spain (2014), Italy (2010) and France (2002) were ranked in the top four and did not get out of the group.
At the remaining World Cups since 1998 – the top ranked teams did not all get through to the semi-finals.
