Four national teams are two wins from history, and their managers are carrying very different resumes into the World Cup 2026 semi-finals. Sofascore data helps us see what is driving each run, from win rates to chance creation and possession. Two managers are already world champions, one is the reigning European champion, and one is sprinting through an impressive start with England. Styles vary, but the numbers are clear and up to date.

Below we look at each coach’s seasonal performance and bigger picture. All figures referenced come from Sofascore’s tracked matches and team metrics.

Didier Deschamps, France

Deschamps arrives with the longest international ledger of the four. Across 185 matches with France, he owns 122 wins with a 66% win rate, plus 32 draws and 31 losses. His sides average 2.15 points per game, 2.16 goals scored and 0.84 conceded, with 3.32 big chances created per game and 58.7% possession. That balance explains why France stay calm in high-stakes matches and rarely lose control of key phases. He also brings a Nations League 2021 title and, of course, the 2018 World Cup.

He is uniquely placed on this list as the only person to have won the World Cup as both player and manager. The current France setup blends experienced leaders with athletic depth, and the metrics back the method. Chance creation remains steady, and the defensive line protects the box well, which keeps the team in every match. If tight margins decide the semi-final, Deschamps’ game management and tournament track record are hard to overlook.

Lionel Scaloni, Argentina

Scaloni’s Argentina are a winning machine with the silverware to match. From 102 games, his team has 79 wins, 14 draws and only 9 losses, alongside 2.46 points per game. They score 2.25 goals per game, concede 0.63, create 2.55 big chances and hold 59.3% possession. That defensive number is elite for international football and is a big reason Argentina keep collecting medals. The trophy list under him is stacked: World Cup 2022, Copa América 2021 and 2024, plus the 2022 Finalissima.

The structure is simple and effective. Argentina control without overextending, compress space in midfield, then punish in transition or through quick combinations. Sofascore’s match flow often shows long spells of measured pressure followed by ruthless finishing. With that record, Argentina enter any semi-final with confidence. Scaloni’s ability to refresh the lineup while keeping standards high has been a quiet superpower this cycle.

Luis de la Fuente, Spain

De la Fuente’s Spain are in full winning mode after lifting EURO 2024 and the 2023 Nations League. In 47 matches, Spain show a 79% win rate with 37 victories, 7 draws and 3 defeats. The numbers pop off the page: 2.47 points per game, 2.53 goals scored, 0.74 conceded and a standout 4.00 big chances created per game. Possession averages 64.6%, but this is not sterile control. It is patient, targeted and designed to unlock the box.

What has changed most is Spain’s directness in the final third. Wide players attack early, midfielders run beyond the ball and the press is coordinated to recover instantly. That explains the high chance creation with relatively few shots wasted from range. De la Fuente’s group also rotates intelligently, which keeps energy high late in tournaments. If Spain hit their usual tempo, they can dictate the semi-final on their terms.

Thomas Tuchel, England

Tuchel is the newest of the four at international level, yet his England start has been close to spotless. Over 20 matches he has 16 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses, which equates to 2.50 points per game. England average 2.20 goals, concede just 0.55, generate 3.75 big chances per game and dominate the ball with 67.0% possession. There are no trophies yet with the national team, but the short-term trend is strong and consistent with his club career winning habits, including the Champions League in 2021.

Tactically, England under Tuchel show a compact 4-3-3 or 3-4-2-1 that flexes with the opponent. The press is organised, and the buildup uses width to pull lines apart before quick entries to the box. Sofascore’s shot maps often show a focus on high-value zones, which fits the chances created figure. The tests now are tournament pressure and efficiency against top-tier blocks. If England maintain the defensive baseline seen so far, the path to their first World Cup since 1966 is very real.

What to watch in the semi-finals

Each manager brings a clear identity. France under Deschamps are balanced, resilient and savvy in moments. Argentina with Scaloni are stable, compact and ruthless. Spain with De la Fuente are quicker and more vertical than their stereotype suggests. England with Tuchel are methodical, high-possession and stingy at the back.

For fans tracking form, Sofascore offers live momentum charts, player heatmaps and the Sofascore Rating after each match, which make it easy to compare how these plans hold up under pressure. Whichever style prevails, the semi-finals set up a compelling tactical mix. It is a good time to keep the app open and the notifications on.