France vs Argentina rematch: Can the 2022 World Cup final be replayed in 2026?
Football fans worldwide are eagerly calculating the tournament mathematics to see if a replication of the legendary 2022 World Cup final between France and Argentina is possible at the 2026 edition. With both powerhouses navigating the newly expanded 48-team format, a blockbuster rematch could happen during the knockout phase.
Argentina entered the competition as the top seeds in Group A. Led by Lionel Messi, the reigning world champions have enjoyed a strong start to their campaign in the United States. Meanwhile, Didier Deschamps’ French side, spearheaded by captain Kylian Mbappé, are competing as the heavy favourites in Group H, aiming to avenge their agonising penalty shootout defeat in Qatar four years ago.
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The Round of 32 Permutations
Because the tournament now features 12 groups instead of eight, the knockout bracket is more complex. The path to a France versus Argentina clash depends heavily on their respective group finishes.
The two giants cannot meet in the group stage, meaning the earliest possible encounter would occur in the Round of 32. For this immediate collision to happen, one team would need to win their group while the other undergoes a surprise stumble to finish as one of the best third-placed teams.
For instance, if Argentina comfortably top Group A, they are scheduled to play a third-placed team from Group C, D, or E. If France tops Group H, they will face a third-placed team from Group A, B, or F. However, given the stellar form displayed by both squads in their opening fixtures, a premature Round of 32 meeting is not possible.
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Current World Cup Status
Both nations have perfect records heading into their final group-stage matches:
- Argentina: Reigning world champions Argentina have guaranteed the top spot in Group J after defeating Algeria (3-0) and Austria (2-0). Lionel Messi has been in spectacular form, leading the tournament with 5 goals.
- France: Currently top of Group I with 6 points after dominant victories over Senegal (3-1) and Iraq (3-0), behind Kylian Mbappé's 4 goals. France faces Norway on Friday, June 27 (12:30 am IST), to decide who officially wins Group I.
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Potential Knockout Scenarios
Because the tournament has expanded to 48 teams with a new Round of 32 bracket layout, their potential paths are highly structured:
- The Semifinal Rematch: If Argentina wins Group J (already secured) and France finishes second in Group I (should they draw or lose to Norway), they will be placed on the same side of the bracket. If both teams then advance through the Round of 32, Round of 16, and Quarterfinals, they are slated to meet in the Semifinals in Dallas on July 15 (IST).
- The Final / Third-Place Showdown: If both Argentina and France win their respective groups, they will occupy opposite sides of the knockout bracket. In this layout, they could not face each other any earlier than the World Cup Final (or the third-place play-off) in mid-July.
With memories of their breathtaking 3-3 draw in Lusail still widely considered the greatest World Cup match ever played, the fans are watching closely as the group games come to their final stages.