Messi, Mbappe and the stars leading the 2026 World Cup semi-final: Who is in charge of each team?

I 2026 World Cup has lived up to its billing as a tournament of stars, with the remaining four teams ranked among FIFA’s top four and all former world champions. While Lionel Messi again Kylian Mbappe set the pace high, the statistical picture for all the semi-finalists is much different than it might seem.

Messi once Mbappe they are undisputed strikers, both leading the race for the golden boot with eight goals each sitting first and second on the World Cup scoring charts with 21 and 20 goals respectively. But Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham have entered the race with six goals apiece with two games remaining, making the race for the competition’s top goalscorer wide open heading into the final two rounds.

Apart from the strikers, the players who came to form carried this momentum in this tournament, with Ousmane Dembele again Michael Olise to stand out as examples. The statistical breakdown of the four semi-finalists tells an interesting story, some categories are spread across multiple contributors while others are completely dominated by one name.

Spain

Lamine Yamal lives the name of the Spanish tent, but the star of Barcelona has not reached the top of the competitionstill working his way back from an injury that hampered his form. Apart from that, Spain have been the most defensive team in the competition, conceding once in six games, their result spread across a deep and balanced team.

Mikel Oyarzabal #21 from Spain celebrates with Alex Baena #15 after scoring a goal.

• Many goals: Mikel Oyarzabal (4).
• Most are helpful: Marc Cucurella (2).
• Multiple key passes (p90): Pedro Porro (2.3)
• Most Successful Dribbles (p90): Lamine Yamal (3.5).
• Lots of Great Opportunities Created: Marc Cucurella (3).

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France

Mbappe has once again had the power to drive Les Bleusreplicating his 2022 World Cup form with eight goals. But France showed real balance this time around, with a solid defensive base complemented by clinical contributions from Dembele and Olise alongside their captain.

• Many goals: Kylian Mbappe (8).
• Most are helpful: Michael Olise (5).
• Multiple key passes (p90): Kylian Mbappe (2.7).
• Most Successful Dribbles (p90): Michael Olise (2.5).
• Lots of Great Opportunities Created: Michael Olise (5).

In England

Under Thomas Tuchel, England have been built around two players to a degree rarely seen in a major competition. Kane and Bellingham scored 12 of England’s 13 goals in the tournamentand while that level of interdependence is risky, a supporting cast that includes key collaborators has allowed both stars to succeed.

• Many goals: Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham (6)
• Most are helpful: Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka (3).
• Multiple key passes (p90): Declan Rice (2.6).
• Most Successful Dribbles (p90): Jude Bellingham (2).
• Lots of Great Opportunities Created: Jude Bellingham, Noni Madueke, and Declan Rice (3).

In Argentina

The defending champions were far from convincing as a group, relying more on spirit and intensity than controlled, dominant play. But with 39-year-old Lionel Messi is producing some of the most complete individual displays of any player in the competitionArgentina overcame all obstacles and went undefeated in the semi finals of the World Cup.

• Many goals: Lionel Messi (8).
• Most are helpful: Lionel Messi (2).
• Multiple key passes (p90): Lionel Messi (3.7).
• Most Successful Dribbles (p90): Lionel Messi (2.5).
• Lots of Great Opportunities Created: Lionel Messi (6).

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