The World Cup Is Almost Over – Let’s Meet the Final Four!

We’re Going to Miss This Tournament

Just like when a fun vacation ends, we’ll be sad when the World Cup (the biggest soccer tournament where countries play each other) finishes next week.

Yesterday we enjoyed two exciting quarterfinal games (the matches that decide who reaches the last four). Here’s what happened:

• England beat Norway.
• Argentina beat Switzerland.
• Both teams moved into the semifinals (the final four teams).

Important: Even though there were many surprise stories from underdog teams, the four teams left are actually the highest-ranked ones. But getting here was not easy for any of them!

The Main Thing: Meet the Semifinalists

With no games until Tuesday, let’s say hello to our final four.

England – The Three Lions

• They started well with a 4‑2 win against Croatia, but since then they’ve looked shaky and won “ugly.”
• Two players have saved them: Harry Kane (a pure goal‑scorer) and Jude Bellingham (age 23, seems to be everywhere on the field, scored twice against Norway). Both have 6 goals in the tournament.
• The team is often vulnerable at the back (defense), but Kane and Bellingham’s talent bails them out. Bellingham adds “bite and nastiness” that makes England hard to knock out.
• England last reached a World Cup semifinal in 2018 but lost to Croatia.
• The country wants its first title since 1966 – big pressure on those two stars!
• A CNN video (with reporter Amanda Davies) shows Bellingham’s two goals giving England a 2‑1 win over Norway.
• After the win, manager Thomas Tuchel said the team was “sloppy” and “lucky.” Bellingham politely pushed back, saying the manager might not understand the playing conditions. The author thinks this honest disagreement is healthy – focused ego can help a team win.

Argentina – The Defending Champs

• They won the last World Cup in 2022 and rely on magic from Lionel Messi and Julián Alvarez (who scored a fantastic goal in extra time – extra minutes added because the score was tied – against Switzerland).
• A controversial VAR call (VAR = Video Assistant Referee, a video helper for the main referee) helped them.
• Like England, they don’t always play pretty, but they “win ugly.”
• They’ve scored the most goals of any team (17!).
• Many players were in the 2022 winning squad, so they have experience.
• They play England on Wednesday – expect fireworks!

France – Les Bleus

• Many think they are the favorite. They’ve cruised through the tournament easily.
• Star Kylian Mbappé is superb with speed; supported by Ousmane Dembélé and other frightening attackers.
• Their legendary manager Didier Deschamps is leaving after this tournament, so they want to send him off with another winner’s medal (like in 2018).
• They play Spain on Tuesday.

Spain – La Roja

• They were expected to do well but haven’t been spectacular.
• Teenage star Lamine Yamal hasn’t shined yet, maybe due to an injury coming into the tournament.
• Their midfield and defense are strong – they’ve allowed only 1 goal all tournament (though France will test that).
• Recent history favors them: they beat France in the Euro 2024 semifinal and in the Nations League last year.
• The winner of France vs Spain will likely be favorite to win the whole thing on July 19.

Controversy in Argentina vs Switzerland

Swiss manager Murat Yakin said: “We were punished because of a rule that in my opinion is completely unacceptable.”

Here’s what happened, step by step (ELI5 style):

1. Swiss player Breel Embolo already had a yellow card (a warning from the referee).
2. Later, he seemed to be fouled by Argentina’s Leandro Paredes, who then got a yellow card.
3. VAR (the video replay helpers) showed Embolo actually threw himself in front of Paredes (like a fake fall, called a dive).
4. A new “mistaken identity” rule let VAR tell the referee he had mistakenly booked Paredes, so the referee instead booked Embolo for diving.
5. Because Embolo already had a yellow, the second one meant a red card – he was sent off, making it easier for Argentina.

Callout: This added to a (probably unfair) rumor that officials are secretly helping Argentina.

Sad News: Jayden Adams Passes Away

• South Africa’s midfielder Jayden Adams (25) played all three group matches but died shortly after the tournament.
• CNN’s Don Riddell reports on this in a short video available on CNN.

A Record‑Breaking TV Audience in the USA

• The Round of 16 match where USA lost 4‑1 to Belgium was the most‑watched soccer match in US TV history (according to FIFA).
• 46 million total viewers tuned in.
• FOX averaged 33.1 million (peaking at 41 million), Spanish‑language Telemundo drew 12.9 million.
• This shows soccer’s popularity in the USA is at an all‑time high, even though the home team went out early.

The Pay‑to‑Play Problem in US Youth Soccer

Our colleague Hannah Keyser wrote a story about how expensive youth soccer is in America:

• Families across the country told CNN they spend thousands of dollars each year.
• Club fees can be as high as $3,500 for nine‑year‑olds in wealthy suburbs.
• It’s not just the entry cost – it’s the cost to stay competitive, plus the “fear of missing out.”
• Youth sports push kids to specialize sooner, choosing between a fun path or a serious path early; success on the serious path seems to require spending more.
• After the US men’s early exit from the World Cup, this system is under scrutiny again.
• CNN subscribers can read the full piece (about Meliesha and Makenna Johnson’s experience) on CNN’s website.

Summary

The World Cup is nearing its end with semifinals set: England vs Argentina (Wednesday) and France vs Spain (Tuesday). England and Argentina won tough quarterfinals thanks to stars like Bellingham and Alvarez. France and Spain are strong too. We also learned about a controversial red card for Switzerland, the tragic death of Jayden Adams, record US TV numbers, and the costly youth soccer system. The author can’t wait to see who reaches the final!

FAQ

Q1: What is VAR and why is it controversial?
A: VAR stands for Video Assistant Referee – it’s like a video review team that helps the main referee fix mistakes. It’s controversial because some calls, like the one that sent off Embolo, seem harsh and people worry it favors big teams.

Q2: Why are England and Argentina called “ugly winners”?
A: Because they often don’t play beautiful soccer but still find ways to win, relying on individual stars and tough mentality.

Q3: How can a player get sent off with two yellow cards?
A: A yellow card is a warning. If a player gets two yellows in one game, it becomes a red card, and they must leave the field immediately.

Q4: What does “pay‑to‑play” mean in kids’ soccer?
A: It means parents must pay club fees for their children to join competitive teams, which can be very expensive and limit chances for less wealthy families.

Q5: When is the World Cup final?
A: The article says the winner of the France/Spain semifinal will be favorite to win “on July 19,” so the final is around July 19.