The following was originally published in the Up First newsletter as part of the NPR Network's coverage of the World Cup, Soccer Edition.For more updates from Juliana throughout the games, subscribe to Up First, or check out the new World Cup tab in the NPR app.We're at the final stretch of the World Cup.
It feels like just yesterday, international fans were arriving in the U.S.and marveling at Buc-ee's and unlimited free soda.
The semi-finals are:By Wednesday night, we'll know who's heading to the final, which is this Sunday at 3 pm EST in New Jersey.Here's what to know about the teams going into the last four games: Last World Cup trophy: 2018Reaching the final will be a chance at rewriting history for France.
The team made it to the last match in 2022 but lost to Argentina.This time, France has returned with a vengeance — particularly thanks to Kylian Mbappé, who's responsible for eight goals.Last World Cup trophy: 2010One of the tournament's highlights has been watching Spain's 19-year-old star Lamine Yamal take on titan after titan.
Now, his team is facing its biggest contender yet.While this will be the first time Yamal and Mbappé are battling at the World Cup, the two have played against each other before.Most recently, in 2024, when Yamal helped his team come out on top.Last World Cup trophy: 1966 A trip to the final would perhaps be sweetest for England.
The team hasn't won a World Cup in 60 years — despite reaching the quarter or semi-finals multiple times since then.Nearly all of England's goals were made to Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane.My eyes will be on the duo and my ears on the fans in case they sing "Hey Jude" like they did at the last game.Last World Cup trophy: 2022All eyes are on Argentina to see if the team can be the first to win the World Cup back-to-back in decades.
To do so, the defending champion will face England.The two haven't competed on the global stage in 24 years.
"It'll be a special match because I've never pla...