The 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-finals are set to feature a record number of Ballon d'Or award winners, with a total of 10 players who have won the prestigious honor or one of the awards presented at the annual Ballon d'Or ceremony. This quartet of semi-finalists, France, Spain, Argentina, and England, boast winners of the Ballon d'Or, Yashin Trophy, Kopa Trophy, and Gerd Müller Trophy.
Among the semi-finalists, three former Ballon d'Or winners remain in contention for the World Cup title. They are Argentina captain Lionel Messi, who has won the award a record eight times, Spain midfielder Rodri, and France forward Ousmane Dembélé. Additionally, Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, a two-time Yashin Trophy winner, is the only recipient of the award for the world's best goalkeeper still in the tournament. The semi-finals also feature four Kopa Trophy winners, awarded to the world's best under-21 player. They are Spain's Lamine Yamal, Pedri, and Gavi, alongside England midfielder Jude Bellingham.
The list of Ballon d'Or awards winners in the 2026 World Cup semi-finals is as follows: Ballon d'Or, Lionel Messi (Argentina) – Winner in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, and 2023; Rodri (Spain) – Winner in 2024; Ousmane Dembélé (France) – Winner in 2025. The Yashin Trophy winners include Emiliano Martínez (Argentina) – Winner in 2023 and 2024. The Kopa Trophy winners are Lamine Yamal (Spain) – Winner in 2024 and 2025, Jude Bellingham (England) – Winner in 2023, Pedri (Spain) – Winner in 2021, and Gavi (Spain) – Winner in 2022. Finally, the Gerd Müller Trophy winners are Kylian Mbappé (France) – Joint winner in 2024 and Harry Kane (England) – Joint winner in 2024.
The semi-finals will see Spain face France in the first semi-final on Tuesday, while Argentina take on England on Wednesday for a place in the final. The winners of these encounters will advance to the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. The semi-finals will be a thrilling encounter for football fans around the world, with the likes of Messi, Rodri, and Mbappé all vying for the World Cup title.
Source: Punch Newspapers
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