The FIFA World Cup is down to the last four teams. Out of the original 32, they remain in the hunt for the ultimate prize. Belgium and France shall slug it out for a place in the final while England clashes with Croatia for the right to fight for the title.

Now the permutations are such that we have one former champion vs a non-champion in both semis. So the following scenarios are possible - France vs England, Belgium vs Croatia, France vs Croatia or France vs Belgium. Barring the first combination, there is a chance in all other options that we have a new champion. By that of course we mean that a team winning it for the first time. The last time that happened was in 2010 when Spain won the title.

8 teams have won the 20 editions till now. In the event that France and England both lose their semis, then it's a certainty that a new champion shall take home the trophy as neither Belgium nor Croatia have ever done so before.

In fact there is a high chance of a new champion because the two non-champion teams are in rampaging form. France on the other hand will look to win its second crown after a maiden title in 1998, while England look to end a 52-year-drought and repeat their glory of 1966.

In all fairness, each of the four teams have a good chance of winning the tournament. Only 2 will have a chance by the end of the next round and no doubt as we reach the business end of the competition, it is only going to get more intense.

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