World Cup semis feature elite 4 as India, China stay on sidelines

The World Cup semifinals are a testament to football's entrenched hierarchy, featuring the four highest-ranked teams, highlighting how the sport's powerhouses continue to dominate the global stage. Notably absent are India and China, despite their vast populations, underscoring the sport's accessibility and popularity challenges in these regions. This dominance of traditional football nations raises questions about the future of the sport's global spread and whether emerging nations can close the gap in this high-stakes arena.