FIFA Accused of Rigging 2026 World Cup Draw as Four Favorites March to Semi-Finals

FIFA are facing fresh accusations of fixing the 2026 World Cup after a seeding rule they introduced ahead of the tournament paved the way for a semi-final lineup that conspiracy theorists say was always the plan. Back in November, world football's governing body announced a change to the draw procedure, splitting the top four nations in the FIFA World Ranking into separate pathways. The idea, according to FIFA, was to ensure competitive balance and keep the two highest-ranked teams — Spain and Argentina — from meeting before the final. The result? Spain, Argentina, France and England all topped their groups and, after three knockout victories each, now find themselves exactly where the blueprint suggested they would be: in the semi-finals. Spain take on France, while England face Argentina, a set of fixtures many critics argue was deliberately engineered to keep the biggest brands in the game apart until the very end. Controversy has followed both Argentina and England throughout the tournament. England’s quarterfinal equaliser against Norway — scored by Jude Bellingham — sparked fury after the ball appeared to hit a spidercam wire before dropping to Elliot Anderson. FIFA’s telemetry data showed no touch, but Norway boss Stale Solbakken was unconvinced. “The ball fell straight down, right in front of the bench, so it did touch it,” Solbakken said. “I think it was pretty clear. It was a strange thing.” Norway then had a goal disallowed for a foul by Erling Haaland on Anderson, a decision that left several players fuming. Meanwhile, England themselves had a VAR call go against them in extra time when a penalty for a foul on Djed Spence was overturned. Argentina have enjoyed their share of fortune too. In the round of 16, Egypt had a second goal ruled out for a foul on Lisandro Martinez. Later, against Switzerland, Breel Embolo was sent off after a VAR review overturned the original yellow card given to Leandro Paredes — a decision Swiss coach Murat Yakin called unfair. “We were punished by a rule that feels like it was written for moments like this,” Yakin said after the match. With Messi and Co. still in the hunt, critics argue FIFA have every incentive to keep the biggest stars on the stage as long as possible.