Beirut: The 2026 FIFA World Cup has maintained the tournament's long-standing tradition of producing no new champions, with all four semifinalists having previously lifted the trophy. The last nation to join football's exclusive list of world champions was Spain, which won its first title in 2010 by defeating the Netherlands. France claimed its maiden crown in 1998, Argentina in 1978, and England in 1966. Croatia came closest to becoming a first-time champion after reaching the 2018 final but lost to France.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, the current semifinals feature three-time champions Argentina, two-time winners France, and one-time champions Spain and England. Only eight countries have won the FIFA World Cup: Brazil (5), Germany (4), Italy (4), Argentina (3), Uruguay (2), France (2), England (1), and Spain (1).