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Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez, Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Lamine Yamal and Rodri are carrying the hopes of four nations on their shoulders.England’s Jude Bellingham, Argentina’s Lionel Messi, France’s Kylian Mbappé and Spain’s Lamine Yamal on their FIFA World Cup 2026 portraits.

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/Coca-Cola 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.

Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele’s France will take on Lamine Yamal and Rodri’s Spain at Dallas Stadium on Tuesday, 14 July, while Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham’s England will face Julian Alvarez and Lionel Messi’s Argentina at Atlanta Stadium 24 hours later. It is not hard to see why these stars are generating such excitement across the globe.

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. “We’re highly motivated and determined to win the tie. We have to play to our strengths. France are a great side, but so are we.”

Source: FIFA

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has revealed his desire to return to school and earn a university degree after retiring from football.

In an Instablog TV interview now circulating on social media, the Galatasaray forward reflected on the lessons life has taught him since leaving school and explained why he hopes to continue his education.

As an adult, not everything I learned in school. There are some kinds of life lessons you encounter through life’s journey,” Osimhen said.

The 27-year-old noted that a football career is relatively short, making it important for players to prepare for life after retirement.

“For me, it would be an amazing thing to also try to get a degree, which I’m still considering because football, you won’t play for so long, probably 20, 25 years, and then you’re done.”

Osimhen said that while he has other opportunities to rely on after his playing days, earning a degree would be a personal achievement and an opportunity to inspire others.

He also encouraged young people who were forced to suspend their education due to financial or personal challenges, stressing that returning to school is always possible.

“Even though you dropped out due to some kind of challenges you have, it’s something you can always go back to. School is always there,” he said.

•Jaminton Campaz

Colombia forward Jaminton Campaz has reportedly gone into hiding after receiving death threats following his team’s elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The threats have revived memories of the killing of Andrés Escobar, who was shot dead in Medellin days after scoring an own goal during Colombia’s 1994 FIFA World Cup campaign in the United States.

Campaz blazed an open chance over the crossbar in the final six minutes of extra time in the round of 16 game against Switzerland on July 7, with the game ending goalless after 120 minutes. Switzerland eventually progressed with a 4-3 victory in the penalty shootout, ending Colombia’s World Cup campaign.

According to the New York Post, the 26 year old did not travel back to Bogotá with teammates James Rodríguez, Davinson Sánchez and Juan Fernando Quintero, as his whereabouts remain unknown, although speculation suggests he may have travelled to Argentina, where he plays for Rosario Central.

Amid growing concern over his safety, the Colombian international broke his silence in an emotional message posted on Instagram on Friday, urging fans to reject hatred and violence.

“My Colombia, please let us never lose sight of respect. We may think differently or feel frustration and sadness, but no passion justifies hatred or living in fear,” he wrote in Spanish translated to English.

Campaz said representing Colombia at the World Cup had fulfilled a lifelong dream despite the team’s painful exit.

“Since I was a child, I dreamed of defending Colombia’s colours, hearing the anthem, representing millions of people and scoring a goal at a World Cup. Today, I can only thank God for allowing me to fulfil that dream,” he said.

“I deeply regret not being able to bring you the joy we all hoped for, but I want you to know there was never a lack of dedication, commitment or love for this jersey. I gave everything I had on the pitch, and I would do it a thousand times over for my country.

According to the Athletic, the Colombian Football Federation has since condemned the threats against Campaz and called on the country’s Attorney General’s Office to investigate those responsible.