"The top four ranked teams in the draw for next year's World Cup are set to be kept apart until at least the semi-finals, FIFA has announced. The move increases the likelihood of a rematch of the classic 2022 final between Lionel Messi's Argentina and Kylian Mbappe's France. Argentina, as the second-ranked team, have been paired with rankings leaders Spain and put on opposite sides of the draw, assuming they win their groups."
"France are ranked third, with England fourth, and those two, who met in the quarter-finals in Qatar, are also provisionally paired. It means that should all four teams top their first-round pools and continue to progress, Argentina would face France or England in the semi-finals, with Spain facing the other. For Argentina and France to renew their rivalry then, the draw - which takes place on December 5 - would have to set the world champions on course for a last-four meeting with England."
"Argentina beat France on penalties in the last final after an epic 3-3 draw, with Messi celebrating another incredible high in his remarkable career despite Mbappe's hat-trick. Another potential final match-up is England versus Spain, a repeat of the Euro 2024 decider won by La Roja. The pots for the draw were also confirmed on Tuesday as the top four teams were joined in pot one by Portugal, Brazil, Netherlands, Belgium and Germany, as well as hosts United States, Mexico and Canada."
FIFA will keep the top four ranked teams in next year's World Cup draw apart until at least the semi-finals. That arrangement raises the likelihood of a rematch between Argentina and France from the 2022 final. Argentina, ranked second, is provisionally paired on the opposite side of the draw from Spain. France, ranked third, and England, fourth, are provisionally paired on a separate path. If all four teams top their groups and progress, Argentina would meet France or England in the semi-finals while Spain would face the other. Pot allocations put Portugal, Brazil, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and hosts USA, Mexico and Canada in pot one.
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