World Cup 2026 bracket: Predict your winner for the tournament - will England go all the way?

We crunched the numbers in Qualifying, we ran through all the possible permutations in the group stage, and we got the calculators out to determine who needed what to make it through as one of the best third-placed nations.

However, now that we are entering the final straight of the 2026 World Cup - with just four teams remaining - the bracket is now looking a lot simpler.

Scotland's dreams of a first-ever World Cup knockout appearance were dashed, but England are still alive - even if only just - lasting longer than four-time winners Germany in North America.

The Netherlands and Uruguay also suffered premature exits, but reigning champions Argentina have kept the dream of back-to-back titles alive, as they prepare to face the Three Lions in Wednesday's semi-final in Atlanta.

Before that, the first finalist and third-placed playoff contenders will be decided in the gargantuan battle between Kylian Mbappe's France and Lamine Yamal's Spain, who meet in a repeat of their Euro 2024 and 2024-25 Nations League semi-finals in Arlington, Texas on Tuesday.

As the semi-finals come into view, try out Sports Mole's live World Cup simulator tool, giving you the chance to predict your winner for the tournament!

What is England's path to the World Cup 2026 final?

Thanks to their status as Group L winners, England avoided a last-32 clash with Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal - who eliminated Croatia to set up a tie with Spain - and Colombia, who edged out Ghana to advance to a last-16 clash with Switzerland.

However, Thomas Tuchel's men made incredibly hard work of their 2-1 victory over DR Congo in the last 32, which earned them a date with perfect co-hosts Mexico at the Estadio Azteca.

England defied the altitude and Mexico's 26-match unbeaten run at the stadium, and their reward was a quarter-final battle with Norway, who stunned Brazil to earn a historic ticket to the last eight.

Despite conceding first to a freak Andreas Schjelderup strike, England overcame the scorching heat and Scandinavian adversity to prevail 2-1 in Miami, thanks to another heroic brace from player-of-the-tournament contender Jude Bellingham.

Now, Argentina stand in England's way of a first World Cup final since 1966, after the Albiceleste overcame 10-man Switzerland in extra time during their quarter-final battle.

Who are the outsiders for World Cup 2026 glory?

As we enter the semi-final stage, it is fair to say that none of the four teams left in the competition are true outsiders or dark horses to win the World Cup.

Indeed, France, England, Spain and Argentina would have been among the chief favourites for the trophy before the first ball was kicked, although some may have sided for Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil over the Three Lions at the start of June.

The likes of Netherlands, Portugal, Morocco, Japan and Norway were viewed as teams who could spring a surprise, but the former suffered an early last-32 exit to the Moroccans, while Japan fell at the same stage to Brazil.