Argentina, Spain, France and England went into the tournament as the top four in FIFA's rankings and are two wins away from being crowned champion of the world again. It's just too close to call either semifinal matchup: France will play Spain in Arlington, Texas, on WEdnesday and England will face Argentina in Atlanta on Thursday.

Not since 1990 has the final four of a World Cup been made up entirely of previous winners. England and Argentina were involved then, although they didn't play each other. Then, like now, Argentina was the defending champion - after beating West Germany in the 1986 final in Mexico - and went on to lose to West Germany in the 1990 final.

And this year could also see a repeat final from 2022 if France and Argentina both advance.

England vs. Argentina: A bitter rivalry

Argentina must overcome England in a match that resumes a fierce rivalry that goes beyond the soccer field, with tensions also relating to the 1982 conflict over the Falklands Islands.

On the field there have been numerous flashpoints between the teams on the World Cup stage. Argentina captain Antonio Rattin, whose death was announced on Saturday, was sent off in a bad-tempered quarterfinal match against winner England in 1966. England manager Alf Ramsey tried to stop his players from swapping shirts with their opponents after a 1-0 victory.

Roll the clock forward 20 years and in 1986 Diego Maradona's infamous "Hand of God" goal helped Argentina to a 2-1 win against England in the quarterfinals on the way to lifting the trophy.

David Beckham was sent off in 1998 for kicking out at Argentina midfielder Diego Simeone, who was predictably criticised by the English media for his reaction to what appeared to be light contact. Argentina won the round of 16 match on penalties.

Beckham got his revenge four years later by scoring a penalty in a 1-0 win that contributed to Argentina being eliminated at the group stage. France vs. Spain: A quick chance for French revenge

France and Spain meet again in the semifinals of a major tournament, just two years since going head-to-head at the European Championship.

Spain won 2-1 with a then-16-year-old Lamine Yamal on the score sheet and went on to lift the Euros by beating England in the final.

Kylian Mbappé's powers were diminished in that tournament after sustaining a broken nose, while emerging stars like Michael Olise and Désiré Doué were yet to break through. Two years on and France is widely regarded to have beenthe most impressive team of this World Cup with a dizzying array of attacking talent and the joint leading scorer in Mbappé ahead of the semifinal on France's Bastille Day. In contrast Spain had to contend with injuries to Yamal and fellow winger Nico Williams coming into the tournament and has relied on late goals from substitute Mikel Merino to edge past Portugal and Belgium in the last two rounds.

The nations have met on a number of occasions at the World Cup or Euros. France beat Spain in the final of Euro 84.

World Cup Fixtures

First Semifinal

July 15: France vs Spain 12:30 am at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas

Second Semifinal

July 16: England vs Argentina 12:30 am at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

Third Place Match

July 19: Semifinal 1 Loser vs Semifinal 2 Loser 2:30 am at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

FINAL

July 20: Semifinal 1 Winner vs Semifinal 2 Winner 12:30 am at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey