{"id":1468274,"date":"2026-07-13T22:52:28","date_gmt":"2026-07-13T21:52:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?post_type=features&#038;p=1468274"},"modified":"2026-07-14T11:13:40","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T10:13:40","slug":"world-cup-route-to-semi-finals-difficulty","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/world-cup-route-to-semi-finals-difficulty\/","title":{"rendered":"Who has had the toughest route at the World Cup?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>And then there were four.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For the first time ever, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/world-cup-2026-betting-tips-predictions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">World <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/world-cup\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a>Cup semi-finals are made up of the top four teams in the Fifa World Rankings, with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/clubs\/france\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">France<\/a> taking on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/clubs\/spain\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Spain<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/clubs\/england\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">England<\/a> facing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/clubs\/argentina\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Argentina<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Each of the four nations has walked very different paths to reach this stage, putting themselves just two more wins away from legendary glory. But which one has had the easiest route, and which one has endured the toughest path?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To answer that, we&#8217;ve added up the pre-tournament Fifa World Ranking positions of every opponent each semi-finalist has faced. The lower the combined total, the harder their route to the final four.<\/p>\n\n\n    <div class=\"sq-toplist\">\n        <div class=\"sq-toplist__items\">\n\t\t\t    <div\n            class=\"sq-toplist__item\"\n            data-entity-id=\"1381422\"\n            data-offer-id=\"1381436\"\n    >\n\t\t        <div class=\"sq-toplist__item-container\">\n            <div class=\"sq-toplist__offer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"\/en\/go\/william-hill?q=gb-all-top-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-brand=\"William Hill\"data-placement=\"bookmaker-offers-content-toplist\" data-rating=\"8.0\" data-position=\"1\" data-placement-details=\"logo\" class=\"sq-toplist__logo\" style=\"background:#00143c\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/06\/10160941\/1354273_1354273_williamhill-FT-1.svg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a>\t\t\t\t                <div class=\"sq-toplist__offer-box\">\n                    <span class=\"sq-toplist__bookmaker\">\n                        <a href=\"\/en\/go\/william-hill?q=gb-all-top-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-brand=\"William Hill\"data-placement=\"bookmaker-offers-content-toplist\" data-rating=\"8.0\" data-position=\"1\" data-placement-details=\"brand_name\">William Hill<\/a>                    <\/span>\n                    <span class=\"sq-toplist__offer-title is-tablet-visible\">\n                        <a href=\"\/en\/go\/william-hill?q=gb-all-top-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-brand=\"William Hill\"data-placement=\"bookmaker-offers-content-toplist\" data-rating=\"8.0\" data-position=\"1\" data-placement-details=\"offer\">Bet \u00a310, get \u00a330 in free bets<\/a>                    <\/span>\n                <\/div>\n                <span class=\"sq-toplist__offer-title is-mobile-visible\">\n                    <a href=\"\/en\/go\/william-hill?q=gb-all-top-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-brand=\"William Hill\"data-placement=\"bookmaker-offers-content-toplist\" data-rating=\"8.0\" data-position=\"1\" data-placement-details=\"offer\">Bet \u00a310, get \u00a330 in free bets<\/a>                <\/span>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"sq-toplist__buttons\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"\/en\/go\/william-hill?q=gb-all-top-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-brand=\"William Hill\"data-placement=\"bookmaker-offers-content-toplist\" data-rating=\"8.0\" data-position=\"1\" data-placement-details=\"cta\" class=\"sq-btn sq-btn--secondary sq-btn--full\">Claim Offer<\/a>                <div class=\"sq-rating\">\n                    <span class=\"sq-rating__text\">Our Score<\/span>\n                    <span class=\"sq-rating__value\">8.0<\/span>\n                <\/div>\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/william-hill-bonus-code\/\" class=\"sq-review-link\">\n                    <span>Read our review<\/span>\n                <\/a>\n            <\/div>\n\t\t\t        <ul class=\"sq-toplist__features\">\n                            <li class=\"sq-toplist__features-item\">Bet \u00a310 get \u00a330<\/li>\n                            <li class=\"sq-toplist__features-item\">Super Fast Withdrawals<\/li>\n                            <li class=\"sq-toplist__features-item\">Trusted Brand<\/li>\n                    <\/ul>\n                <\/div>\n\t\t            <div class=\"sq-toplist__item-tc\"><p>18+. Play Safe. Online only. Ends 31.12.26. New UK customers only, registering with promo code R30. Make your first deposit of \u00a310+, then place a \u00a310 single bet from main balance at odds of 1\/2+ on any sports market (excluding Virtuals). Get \u00a330 in Free Bets (3x\u00a310) after settlement. Free Bets valid on any sports market excl. Virtuals, expire in 7 days, non-withdrawable and must be used in full (\u00a310 each). Deposits via PayPal, Neosurf, Paysafe, Apple Pay, NETELLER, Skrill, ecoPayz, Kalibra\/Postpay and WH PLUS Card excluded. One per customer. Full T&amp;Cs apply. #ad<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t    <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-world-cup-semi-finals-who-has-had-the-toughest-run-so-far\">World Cup semi-finals: Who has had the toughest run so far?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-4-argentina\">4. Argentina<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Group stage 1: <\/strong>Algeria (28)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Group stage 2: <\/strong>Austria (24)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Group stage 3: <\/strong>Jordan (63)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Round of 32: <\/strong>Cape Verde (67)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Round of 16: <\/strong>Egypt (29)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Quarter-final: <\/strong>Switzerland (19)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Total: <\/strong>230<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On paper at least, Argentina have had the easiest route through the World Cup so far, with an opponent rankings total of 230. The reigning champions are also the only semi-finalists not to face a team from within the top 15 nations so far. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Of course, you wouldn&#8217;t have guessed that based on the trials and tribulations they&#8217;ve faced in North America. Yes, Argentina cruised through the group stage with maximum points and an 8-1 combined scoreline. However, it&#8217;s been nothing but trouble since, needing extra time to finally beat debutants Cape Verde 3-2, and coming from 2-0 down late to beat Egypt by the same scoreline. Switzerland also pushed La Albiceleste all the way in the quarter-finals before eventually succumbing to a 3-1 extra-time defeat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The presence of Lionel Messi means Argentina cannot be discounted. However, they have looked unconvincing against favourable opponents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-england\">3. England<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Group stage 1: <\/strong>Croatia (11)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Group stage 2: <\/strong>Ghana (73)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Group stage 3: <\/strong>Panama (34)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Round of 32: <\/strong>DR Congo (46)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Round of 16: <\/strong>Mexico (14)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Quarter-final: <\/strong>Norway (31)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Total: <\/strong>209<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Next up is England, with an opponent rankings total of 209. On paper, Croatia have been the toughest opponents the Three Lions have faced so far at No.11. Strangely, though, the 2018 finalists were actually on the end of England&#8217;s most fluid attacking performance so far this summer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ghana, Panama and DR Congo caused no shortage of problems, with the latter requiring a late Harry Kane brace to deliver a 2-1 comeback win in the last 32. Then came Mexico, ranked 14th and posing the most intimidating last 16 match-up you could hope for. England went to the Azteca and overcame the crowd, the altitude, a weather delay and a genuinely tough opponent to produce arguably their greatest tournament performance since 1966.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Norway proved an equally difficult task last time out, with England once again needing to come from behind to win 2-1, in extra time on this occasion. With 12 goals combined, Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham have carried Thomas Tuchel&#8217;s men to this point.<\/p>\n\n\n    <div class=\"sq-toplist\">\n        <div class=\"sq-toplist__items\">\n\t\t\t    <div\n            class=\"sq-toplist__item\"\n            data-entity-id=\"1381422\"\n            data-offer-id=\"1381436\"\n    >\n\t\t        <div class=\"sq-toplist__item-container\">\n            <div class=\"sq-toplist__offer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"\/en\/go\/william-hill?q=gb-all-top-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-brand=\"William Hill\"data-placement=\"bookmaker-offers-content-toplist\" data-rating=\"8.0\" data-position=\"1\" data-placement-details=\"logo\" class=\"sq-toplist__logo\" style=\"background:#00143c\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/06\/10160941\/1354273_1354273_williamhill-FT-1.svg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a>\t\t\t\t                <div class=\"sq-toplist__offer-box\">\n                    <span class=\"sq-toplist__bookmaker\">\n                        <a href=\"\/en\/go\/william-hill?q=gb-all-top-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-brand=\"William Hill\"data-placement=\"bookmaker-offers-content-toplist\" data-rating=\"8.0\" data-position=\"1\" data-placement-details=\"brand_name\">William Hill<\/a>                    <\/span>\n                    <span class=\"sq-toplist__offer-title is-tablet-visible\">\n                        <a href=\"\/en\/go\/william-hill?q=gb-all-top-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-brand=\"William Hill\"data-placement=\"bookmaker-offers-content-toplist\" data-rating=\"8.0\" data-position=\"1\" data-placement-details=\"offer\">Bet \u00a310, get \u00a330 in free bets<\/a>                    <\/span>\n                <\/div>\n                <span class=\"sq-toplist__offer-title is-mobile-visible\">\n                    <a href=\"\/en\/go\/william-hill?q=gb-all-top-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-brand=\"William Hill\"data-placement=\"bookmaker-offers-content-toplist\" data-rating=\"8.0\" data-position=\"1\" data-placement-details=\"offer\">Bet \u00a310, get \u00a330 in free bets<\/a>                <\/span>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"sq-toplist__buttons\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"\/en\/go\/william-hill?q=gb-all-top-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-brand=\"William Hill\"data-placement=\"bookmaker-offers-content-toplist\" data-rating=\"8.0\" data-position=\"1\" data-placement-details=\"cta\" class=\"sq-btn sq-btn--secondary sq-btn--full\">Claim Offer<\/a>                <div class=\"sq-rating\">\n                    <span class=\"sq-rating__text\">Our Score<\/span>\n                    <span class=\"sq-rating__value\">8.0<\/span>\n                <\/div>\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/william-hill-bonus-code\/\" class=\"sq-review-link\">\n                    <span>Read our review<\/span>\n                <\/a>\n            <\/div>\n\t\t\t        <ul class=\"sq-toplist__features\">\n                            <li class=\"sq-toplist__features-item\">Bet \u00a310 get \u00a330<\/li>\n                            <li class=\"sq-toplist__features-item\">Super Fast Withdrawals<\/li>\n                            <li class=\"sq-toplist__features-item\">Trusted Brand<\/li>\n                    <\/ul>\n                <\/div>\n\t\t            <div class=\"sq-toplist__item-tc\"><p>18+. Play Safe. Online only. Ends 31.12.26. New UK customers only, registering with promo code R30. Make your first deposit of \u00a310+, then place a \u00a310 single bet from main balance at odds of 1\/2+ on any sports market (excluding Virtuals). Get \u00a330 in Free Bets (3x\u00a310) after settlement. Free Bets valid on any sports market excl. Virtuals, expire in 7 days, non-withdrawable and must be used in full (\u00a310 each). Deposits via PayPal, Neosurf, Paysafe, Apple Pay, NETELLER, Skrill, ecoPayz, Kalibra\/Postpay and WH PLUS Card excluded. One per customer. Full T&amp;Cs apply. #ad<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t    <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-france\">2. France<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Group stage 1: <\/strong>Senegal (15)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Group stage 2: <\/strong>Iraq (57)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Group stage 3: <\/strong>Norway (31)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Round of 32: <\/strong>Sweden (38)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Round of 16: <\/strong>Paraguay (41)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Quarter-final: <\/strong>Morocco (7)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Total: <\/strong>189<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">France have had a contrasting World Cup campaign so far. The two-time champions cruised through the group stage with comfortable wins over Senegal, Iraq and a heavily-rotated Norway, before crushing Sweden 3-0 in the last 32. Things got much more difficult from there as a 41st-ranked Paraguay did their best to kick them out of the tournament, quite literally. However, Les Bleus kept their cool and advanced thanks to a Kylian Mbappe penalty. A rematch of the 2022 semi-final was their reward, with France taking on a Morocco side ranked seventh in the world. However, Didier Deschamps&#8217; men once again proved their credentials, keeping the African side at arm&#8217;s length and coming out 2-0 winners in Boston. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A 16-2 combined scoreline against this set of opponents is incredibly impressive, as is the fact that France are yet to concede a goal in the knockout rounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-spain\">1. Spain<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Group stage 1: <\/strong>Cape Verde (67)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Group stage 2: <\/strong>Saudi Arabia (61)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Group stage 3: <\/strong>Uruguay (16)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Round of 32: <\/strong>Austria (24)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Round of 16: <\/strong>Portugal (5)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Quarter-final: <\/strong>Belgium (9)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Total: <\/strong>182<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Spain have faced the hardest run to the semi-finals if the Fifa World Rankings are to be believed. Of course, it didn&#8217;t start that way, with La Roja taking on two sides ranked outside the top 60 in Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia. The former even held them to a famous 0-0 draw in their first-ever World Cup match. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But since then, Spain haven&#8217;t faced a nation outside the top 25. Two-time winners Uruguay, dark horses Austria, fifth-ranked Portugal and ninth-ranked Belgium have all been put to the sword in an incredible display of tournament steel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The most terrifying part is that Luis de la Fuente&#8217;s men have barely made it out of first gear yet, suggesting the European champions could burst into life in the final two matches.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3><strong>Read more:<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/world-cup-2026-betting-tips-predictions\/\"><strong>World Cup predictions &amp; tips<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/outright-markets\/world-cup-outright-odds\/\"><strong>World Cup outright odds <\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/world-cup-2026-fixtures-results\/\"><b>World Cup fixtures &amp; results<\/b><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/world-cup-2026-betting-offers\/\"><b>World Cup free bets<\/b><\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n    <div class=\"sq-articles-list\">\n                    <h2 class=\"sq-heading-line\">World Cup latest<\/h2>\n                <div class=\"sq-cards\">\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/cult-corner\/world-cup-2026-memories\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/19215346\/3F036C0-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Anthony Gordon and Javier Aguirre\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Cult Corners<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/cult-corner\/world-cup-2026-memories\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    17 things we\u2019ll remember from the 2026 World Cup                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/benmcaleer\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Ben McAleer                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">1 month ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/cult-corner\/top-10-international-mens-goalscorers-ever\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/09152047\/top-10-international-goalscorers-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Cult Corners<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/cult-corner\/top-10-international-mens-goalscorers-ever\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Top 10 international goalscorers of all time                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/jackkitson\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Jack Kitson                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">1 month ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/world-cup-stars-summer-transfers\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/20103201\/feature_image-x-2-purple-1-2-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"12 World Cup stars who could be on the move this summer\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/world-cup-stars-summer-transfers\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    12 World Cup stars who could be on the move this summer                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/chris-smith\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Chris Jones                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">2 months ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/world-cup-player-stats-leaders-2026\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/20144356\/world-cup-stats-leaders-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"World Cup stat leaders: Who led the key metrics?\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/world-cup-player-stats-leaders-2026\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    World Cup 2026 player stat leaders: Who led the key metrics?                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/harry-edwards\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Harry Edwards                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">2 months ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/squawka-writers-world-cup-team-of-the-tournament\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/18155716\/writers-pick-team-of-tournament-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"We asked Squawka writers to name their World Cup 2026 Team of the Tournaments\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/squawka-writers-world-cup-team-of-the-tournament\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    We asked Squawka writers to name their World Cup 2026 Team of the Tournaments                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/harry-edwards\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Harry Edwards                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">2 months ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/world-cup-final-stats-you-might-have-missed-spain-argentina\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/20111854\/SYMHM_Spain_Argentina-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/world-cup-final-stats-you-might-have-missed-spain-argentina\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    World Cup Final stats you might have missed from Spain vs Argentina                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/jackkitson\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Jack Kitson                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">2 months ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/2026-world-cup-team-of-the-tournament\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/20044220\/predictions_article-16x9-1-2-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/2026-world-cup-team-of-the-tournament\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    2026 World Cup Team of the Tournament: Spain dominate after lifting the trophy                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/guilhermemirra\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Guilherme Mirra                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">2 months ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-spain-argentina-2026-world-cup-final\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/20022927\/feature_image-x-2-purple-3-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-spain-argentina-2026-world-cup-final\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Tactical analysis: How Spain gave Argentina a taste of their own medicine to win 2026 World Cup final                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/guilhermemirra\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Guilherme Mirra                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">2 months ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/post-match-analysis-spain-vs-argentina-19-07-26\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/19232058\/3F2NYEK-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Ferran Torres celebrates vs Argentina\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/post-match-analysis-spain-vs-argentina-19-07-26\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Spain vs Argentina Stats and Analysis: How La Roja won the 2026 World Cup Final                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/benmcaleer\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Ben McAleer                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">2 months ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/betting-offers\/world-cup-final-free-bets-spain-argentina\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/16120830\/predictions_article-16x9-2026-07-16T120814.423-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Betting Offers<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/betting-offers\/world-cup-final-free-bets-spain-argentina\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    World Cup Final free bets: Top betting offers for Spain vs Argentina                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/andrewfrancis\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Andy Francis                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">2 months ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/world-cup-final-stats-you-might-see-spain-vs-argentina-19-07-2026\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/17155946\/feature_image-x2-circle-purple-5-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/world-cup-final-stats-you-might-see-spain-vs-argentina-19-07-2026\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    World Cup Final 2026: Stats you might see in Spain vs Argentina tonight                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/jackkitson\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Jack Kitson                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">2 months ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/outright-markets\/world-cup-2026-outright-winner-odds-19-07\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/12\/22160215\/predictions_article-16x9-24-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Outright markets<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/outright-markets\/world-cup-2026-outright-winner-odds-19-07\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    World Cup 2026 outright odds: Spain odds-on to lift trophy vs Argentina                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/anton\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Anthony Eadson                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">2 months ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                    <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>And then there were four. For the first time ever, the World Cup semi-finals are made up of the top four teams in the Fifa World Rankings, with France taking on Spain and England facing Argentina. Each of the four nations has walked very different paths to reach this stage, putting themselves just two more&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":56,"featured_media":1468329,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"world cup","_yoast_wpseo_title":"","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"We've reached the semi-final stage of the 2026 Fifa World Cup, but which remaining nation has had the toughest run at the tournament so far?","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"features-category":[],"squawka-category":[27631],"class_list":["post-1468274","features","type-features","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","squawka-category-world-cup"],"acf":{"external_featured_image_url":"","hide_featured_image_pattern":true},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.0 (Yoast SEO v28.0) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Who has had the toughest route at the World Cup? | Squawka | EN<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"We&#039;ve reached the semi-final stage of the 2026 Fifa World Cup, but which remaining nation has had the toughest run at the tournament so far?\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/world-cup-route-to-semi-finals-difficulty\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Who has had the toughest route at the World Cup?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"We&#039;ve reached the semi-final stage of the 2026 Fifa World Cup, but which remaining nation has had the toughest run at the tournament so far?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/world-cup-route-to-semi-finals-difficulty\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Squawka | EN\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SquawkaFootballNews\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-07-14T10:13:40+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/14085006\/world-cup-toughest-route-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1440\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@squawka\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Estimated reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"NewsArticle\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/en\\\/features\\\/world-cup-route-to-semi-finals-difficulty\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/en\\\/features\\\/world-cup-route-to-semi-finals-difficulty\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Chris Jones\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/en\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/dcaaeb201e0e17d78934592371278e5c\"},\"headline\":\"Who has had the toughest route at the World Cup?\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-07-13T21:52:28+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-07-14T10:13:40+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/en\\\/features\\\/world-cup-route-to-semi-finals-difficulty\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":795,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/en\\\/features\\\/world-cup-route-to-semi-finals-difficulty\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/media.squawka.com\\\/images\\\/2026\\\/07\\\/14085006\\\/world-cup-toughest-route-scaled.jpg\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/en\\\/features\\\/world-cup-route-to-semi-finals-difficulty\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/en\\\/features\\\/world-cup-route-to-semi-finals-difficulty\\\/\",\"name\":\"Who has had the toughest route at the World Cup? 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