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Defending Champion France Faces Weakest Semifinalist in Messi's Argentina? France 34.05%, Argentina 20.55% WC Win Probab
๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท South Korea /Sports

Defending Champion France Faces Weakest Semifinalist in Messi's Argentina? France 34.05%, Argentina 20.55% WC Win Probability

From Chosun Ilbo · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Lionel Messi's Argentina is considered the weakest contender among the four remaining teams in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semifinals.
  • France leads with a 34.05% chance of winning the tournament, followed by Spain and England, with Argentina at 20.55%.
  • The semifinals feature four former World Cup champions: France, Spain, England, and Argentina.

Despite featuring star player Lionel Messi, Argentina is statistically ranked as the least likely team to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup among the four semifinalists. France, the defending champions, hold the highest probability of securing the title at 34.05%, according to recent analyses.

The semifinal lineup boasts a formidable collection of former World Cup winners, including France, Spain, England, and Argentina. This stage of the tournament presents a highly competitive scenario, with all remaining teams having a history of success on the global stage.

Argentina's chances of lifting the trophy are currently estimated at 20.55%. This places them below their fellow semifinalists in terms of projected victory odds, despite their pedigree and the presence of one of football's most iconic figures.

The first semifinal match is scheduled for early morning on December 15th (Korean time) in Arlington, Texas. The outcome of these high-stakes matches will determine which of these football giants will advance to the final and vie for the ultimate prize in international soccer.

DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Chosun Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.