• FIFA images

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