Not so easy: Argentina's opponents had the highest average FIFA ranking in World Cup history

Argentina have reached the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and their path has been far more challenging than many expected. As it turns out, the numbers back that up.

Details: According to MisterChip, Argentina's opponents had an average FIFA ranking of 38th. That is the highest average ranking faced by any team that has reached the World Cup semi-finals in the tournament's history.

Argentina's road to the semi-finals (based on each opponent's FIFA ranking before the tournament):

• Algeria national football team (28th)
• Austria national football team (24th)
• Jordan national football team (63rd)
• Cape Verde national football team (67th)
• Egypt national football team (29th)
• Switzerland national football team (19th)

Lionel Messi and Argentina were trailing 2-0 until the 79th minute before producing a remarkable late comeback. Argentina secured a 3-2 victory to book their place in the quarter-finals.

Reminder: The Egyptian Football Association lodged an official complaint with FIFA over the referee following Egypt's World Cup match against Argentina.