Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Three-time champions Argentina became the last team to secure a place in the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating Switzerland 3-1 in extra time in Jersey on Sunday morning, completing a last-four lineup made up entirely of former world champions.
This marks only the third time in World Cup history that all four semi-finalists have previously lifted football’s biggest prize.
Argentina joined England, France and Spain in the semi-finals after overcoming a spirited Swiss side in a dramatic quarterfinal that ended 1-1 after 90 minutes.
Alexis Mac Allister gave Argentina an early lead in the 10th minute, but Dan Ndoye restored parity in the 67th minute to take the match to extra time.
Switzerland’s hopes suffered a major blow five minutes later when striker Breel Embolo was sent off after receiving his second yellow card. Argentina capitalized on their numerical advantage and scored twice in extra time to seal a 3-1 victory and book their place in the last four.
Earlier, England, the 1966 champions, defeated Norway in the third quarterfinal to reach the semifinals. France, which lifted the trophy in 1998 and 2018, and Spain, champions in 2010, had already secured their places.
The last time all four World Cup semi-finalists were former champions was in 1990, when Argentina, Germany, Italy and England reached the final four. Before that, Italy, West Germany, Uruguay and Brazil made up the semi-final lineup at the 1970 World Cup.
The 2026 edition has also produced a semifinal lineup featuring the world’s four highest-ranked national teams.
Top-ranked France will face third-ranked Spain in one semifinal, while second-ranked England will take on fourth-ranked Argentina for a place in the final.
