FIFA World Cup 2026: 'What stars are saying before semi-finals'

Doha, Qatar: Major tournaments are often underpinned by players who rarely grab the headlines but there are also moments when the biggest names take centre stage.

That has certainly been the case in North America this summer at a tournament which has been widely dubbed as the “World Cup of superstars”.

With the semi-finals set to feature four nations that have previously lifted the trophy and happen to occupy the top four berths in the FIFA Men’s World Ranking – the FIFA World Cup 2026 has reached its defining phase, with the expectation that some of its biggest stars will make the difference. cat-cross.com

Argentina: Messi and Alvarez

Messi has experienced almost every emotion that the World Cup can conjure, yet he somehow keeps discovering new ones. At the age of 39, La Albiceleste’s evergreen captain is finally set to face England for the first time.

“It’ll be a special match because I’ve never played against England,” Messi said.

“They’re also a great team, one of the world’s powerhouses, and it’s always wonderful to play against sides like that. It’s an encounter that promises to be huge, even more so in a World Cup semi-final.”

Alongside him in the reigning champions’ frontline, Alvarez seems to be peaking at exactly the right time. After netting a long-range stunner in extra time to help down Switzerland in the quarter-finals, the striker spoke of his excitement and how he hopes to produce his very best when there is no longer any margin for error.

“Scoring that goal was important,” he said. “I’ve got better as the World Cup has gone on and I hope to be even better in the semi-finals. What matters most is the team winning, but as a striker, I want to help by finding the net. It makes me feel really emotional. I can only imagine what it must’ve been like back home.”

England: Kane and Bellingham

Just like their upcoming opponents in the last four, England have come through a series of hard-fought contests in which they have had to handle intense pressure right up to the final whistle. Kane knows that lifting the World Cup is the final piece needed to turn the Three Lions’ impressive runs at recent tournaments into a long‑lasting legacy.

“This is an extremely successful period for our national team,” explained the No9.

“We want to take that final step. We’ve been together for six weeks now, giving everything for this badge every single day.”

Kane is certainly not carrying that responsibility alone. Bellingham has been one of England’s standout performers on the road to the semi-finals.

“This is probably a bit beyond [my wildest dreams]. I’m a confident boy, but I don’t think you go to bed at night dreaming about games like that. It’s nice to have an impact and help my team, but I’m just so proud of how the lads keep battling regardless of what situation we find ourselves in.”

France: Mbappe and Dembele

For many, Les Bleus are the team to beat. But Mbappe refuses to believe that the job is done.

He said: “I don’t know if I’d call it a ‘mission’, but we all know we can only relax if we win it. We can’t let our guard down until then. We still have a lot to prove if we want to be recognised as an ‘invincible team’.”Dembele struck a slightly more measured tone. Like Mbappe, he has reached the third World Cup semi-final of his career feeling that his own development has gone hand in hand with France’s progress, while continuing to put the team ahead of any personal acclaim.

“I’m very happy,” he revealed. “I feel comfortable in my role for France and Paris Saint‑Germain. I’m getting stronger as the tournament goes on, but the team come first.”

Spain: Lamine and Rodri

As Spain prepare to lock horns with their European neighbours, their hopes could well ride on teenage talent Yamal. Still searching for a blistering performance on North American soil to truly showcase his immense ability, the winger is unfazed by the calibre of their semi-final opponents. “Ever since the tournament got under way, many people have been hoping for this match,” he said.“For me, these are the two best teams at this World Cup. We’re not afraid. If anyone can beat France, it’s us.”

While Yamal represents the unpredictable, Rodri embodies control. The dependable midfielder has completed more passes than any other player at the tournament, providing La Roja with composure in the moments when tensions are highest.

“France will probably be our toughest test,” admitted the 30-year-old. FIFA

Doha, Qatar: France’s bid for a third consecutive FIFA World Cup final faces its toughest challenge today when the two-time champions meet reigning European champions Spain in a blockbuster semi-final in Dallas, with Argentina or England awaiting the winners in Sunday’s final.

France have lived up to expectations throughout the tournament, winning all six matches to reach a third successive World Cup semi-final.

After topping Group I with victories over Senegal, Iraq and Norway, Didier Deschamps’ side eliminated Sweden, Paraguay and Morocco, scoring 16 goals while keeping clean sheets throughout the knockout stage.

Leading the charge is Kylian Mbappe, whose relentless pursuit of another World Cup crown has been matched by another astonishing scoring run. The Real Madrid forward tops the Golden Boot standings with eight goals and three assists, while his strike against Morocco took his World Cup tally to 20 goals, leaving him just one behind Lionel Messi’s all-time record of 21.

France’s firepower stretches far beyond their captain. Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise, Desire Doue and Bradley Barcola have all made decisive contributions, while Dayot Upamecano and William Saliba have anchored a defence that has yet to concede in the knockout rounds.Spain players form a guard of honour for teammate Lamine Yamal (centre) on his birthday during a training session. PICS: AFP

Yet Deschamps insists France have achieved nothing yet.

“Right now we are only in the semi-finals. We have another step to go and it will obviously be really difficult.”

Mbappe has echoed his coach’s message, brushing aside the growing attention on his personal milestones.

“We’re in the semi-finals and we’re very happy, but there’s still a long way to go. We realise that what lies ahead is even tougher than what we’ve been through, but we’re ready to face anything,” the 27-year-old said after France’s victory over Morocco.

Spain have grown stronger as the tournament has progressed. After a surprise goalless draw against Cape Verde in their opener, Luis de la Fuente’s side topped their group before producing convincing knockout performances, beating Austria 3-0, edging Portugal 1-0 and overcoming Belgium 2-1 to reach only their second World Cup semi-final since winning the trophy in South Africa in 2010.

La Roja are unbeaten in 36 matches in 90 minutes since March 2024 and have won seven of their last 10 meetings with France, including victories in the Euro 2024 and the 2025 UEFA Nations League semi-finals.

Their midfield trio of Rodri, Pedri and Dani Olmo has dictated the tempo throughout the tournament, while goalkeeper Unai Simon has conceded only once.

Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino has also emerged as Spain’s unlikely match-winner, becoming the first player in World Cup history to score winning goals as a substitute in two knockout matches.

Much of the attention, however, will centre on Lamine Yamal, the teenager widely viewed as the heir to Mbappe’s throne. The Barcelona winger first announced himself on the biggest stage by inspiring Spain to victory over France in the Euro 2024 semi-final, and now has another opportunity to halt Mbappe’s march towards history while chasing his own dream of lifting the World Cup before turning 20.

Yamal admitted before the tournament he feared injury would deny him the chance to play in North America, but Spain captain Rodri believes the teenager’s desire to influence every game sometimes gets the better of him.

“I think Lamine needs to calm the anxiety he sometimes has because he wants to show how important a player he is for us.”

For De la Fuente, recent victories over France offer belief rather than guarantees. “It’s fair to think we can beat France; we’re going to work hard for them. We’re the only team that has managed to beat them twice. A great team is going to face another great team.”

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Doha, Qatar: While nations battle for World Cup glory, Europe’s biggest clubs have quietly staged a contest of their own in North America.

From goals that have decided knockout ties to assists that have unlocked stubborn defences, players from a handful of elite clubs have left the biggest mark on FIFA World Cup 2026. And with the tournament now entering its final stages, no club has influenced the competition more than Real Madrid.

The 15-time UEFA Champions League winners sit comfortably at the top of the club standings with an outstanding 30 goal involvements 19 goals and 11 assists a reflection of the quality spread throughout their squad.

Much of Real Madrid’s success has come through Kylian Mbappe, who has once again delivered on football’s biggest stage.

The France captain has contributed eight goals and three assists, while Jude Bellingham has combined six goals with one assist to inspire England’s run to the semi-finals. Vinicius Junior has added four goals and an assist for Brazil, while Brahim Diaz has chipped in with four assists, highlighting Madrid’s influence across several nations.

Bayern Munich are the closest challengers with 21 goal involvements, built around two players who have excelled in different ways. Harry Kane has once again been England’s driving force with six goals and one assist, while Michael Olise leads the tournament assist chart with five assists.

Joshua Kimmich has also played his part with two assists as Bayern’s internationals have continued to deliver when it mattered most.

Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal and Liverpool are level on 20 goal involvements each, although each club has reached that total in a different way.

Fresh from their UEFA Champions League triumph, Paris Saint-Germain have produced 14 goals and six assists. Ousmane Dembele has led the way with five goals and two assists for France, while Achraf Hakimi has contributed one goal and two assists for Morocco. Bradley Barcola and Desire Doue have also played their part, highlighting the depth within the French champions’ squad.

Arsenal’s tally has been built on nine goals and 11 assists from players representing several nations. Kai Havertz has scored three goals for Germany, while Leandro Trossard has added two goals and two assists for Belgium. Martin Odegaard has four assists for Norway, and Mikel Merino has delivered when the pressure has been greatest, scoring the winning goals in Spain’s Round of 32 and quarter-final victories.

Bukayo Saka has also contributed three assists for England.

Liverpool have matched Arsenal and PSG with 20 goal involvements, made up of seven goals and 13 assists. Cody Gakpo has registered three goals and one assist for the Netherlands, while Alexander Isak has contributed one goal and three assists during Sweden’s impressive campaign. Florian Wirtz has added three assists and Ryan Gravenberch has also contributed two assists for the Netherlands, ensuring Liverpool’s internationals have remained among the tournament’s most influential creators.

What makes the numbers even more impressive is that they have not been driven by one or two superstars alone. Between them, the five clubs have produced 111 direct goal involvements through 38 different players, accounting for a significant share of the attacking contributions in a tournament that has produced 291 goals so far.

As the race for the World Cup trophy enters its decisive phase, the battle among nations continues to take centre stage. Yet behind many of the tournament’s defining moments have come from players of the same five clubs.