England and Argentina meet in the World Cup semi-finals in Atlanta on Wednesday. This is a match between former champions who carry a historical burden. Lionel Messi’s side are two wins away from winning back-to-back World Cups for the first time in more than 60 years, while England are aiming to reach their first final since 1966.
Argentina needed to push harder to reach the Final Four, needing two overtimes and a strong late comeback to win the three knockout games. Lionel Messi has scored 21 goals in the World Cup, a new record, and has reached the semi-finals with eight goals in this tournament.
England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford said: “We all know how good Messi is, but we also know how good Argentina are.” “We’re also thinking about their other strengths and other weaknesses that we can exploit.”
The winner will face Spain in the World Cup final on Sunday, July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Where to watch England vs Argentina today
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Argentina’s vice president, Vicky Villaruel, posted a series of messages on social media stirring up sentiment against England, despite calls from players, coaches and the Argentine security minister to focus on the sport.
“Tomorrow we will face usurping pirates,” Villaruel wrote, referring to the 1982 Falklands War. “This is not just a game. I’m not trying to be politically correct or cruel. It’s always more than that against the English.”
Villaruel decided to reply to People, saying that his father fought in the conflict, and went on to say that England “will always be our enemy and this match is not just about football.”
“My father also went to the Malvinas (Falkland Islands) and he always taught me that repeat invaders are always enemies, just like those pirates.”
“Let’s not be so lukewarm that we believe this is just about soccer, because even though they limit themselves to soccer, they continue to roam around on our islands, sticking their noses into our oceans, crossing our territory without permission, stealing our resources, and the whole world is silent about it. I’ve never hidden what I think, and I’m not going to do it now as vice president to be politically correct.”
The matchup will kick off at 3pm ET.
- GK: Jordan Pickford
- DF: Reece James
- DF: Marc Gehi
- DF: John Stones
- DF: Jed Spence
- Midfielder: Declan Rice
- Midfielder: Elliot Anderson
- Midfielder: Jude Bellingham
- Midfielder: Morgan Rogers
- Forward: Harry Kane
- FW: Morgan Rogers
- GK: Emi Martinez
- DF: Nicolas Tagliafico
- DF: Lisandro Martinez
- DF: Cristian Romero
- DF: Nahuel Molina
- Midfielder: Leandro Paredes
- Midfielder: Alexis Mac Allister
- Midfielder: Enzo Fernandes
- Forward: Julian Alvarez
- FW: Lionel Messi
- FW: Giuliano Simeone
The semifinal match will be played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Seth Bartelny: England 2-1 Argentina
At some point, Argentina will no longer be able to escape any crisis. That could be against a seasoned England team that is of a higher level than any team Messi and his team have faced in this competition so far.
John Arnold: England 1-2 Argentina (AET)
Can’t they just keep running away? Oh, you can. Leandro Paredes, along with Lionel Messi, also managed to turn back the clock with a shutout against Jude Bellingham. Despite England’s one goal, Argentina continued their magical run.
Jesse Yomtov: England 2 – 1 Argentina
England will overcome a questionable refereeing decision to eliminate Argentina in their first encounter with Lionel Messi of the Three Lions.
Victoria Hernandez: England 2 – 1 Argentina
Argentina cannot win this World Cup by playing with their backs to the ropes as they have in the past. England, led by Jude Bellingham, are one step closer to winning the title at home.
Advance to Wednesday’s semifinals. Players in bold are still alive at the World Cup.
- 8 – Lionel Messi, Argentina
- 8 – Kylian Mbappé, France
- 6 – Harry Kane, UK
- 6 – Jude Bellingham, England
- 5 – Ousmane Dembele, France
- 5 – Mikel Oyarzabal, Spain
- 4 – Ismaila Sarr, Senegal
- 4 – Julián Quiñones, Mexico
- 4 – Vinicius Jr., Brazil
The winner of the Argentina vs. England semi-final will advance to face Spain in the World Cup final.
Lionel Messi has tied for the most goals in this tournament with eight goals, taking his total to 21 in his World Cup career and setting a new summer record as he heads into the semi-finals against England.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi is 39 years old and celebrated his birthday during this World Cup.
round 16
- July 4: France vs. Paraguay – Philadelphia
- July 4: Morocco vs. Canada – Houston
- July 5: Norway vs. Brazil – East Rutherford
- 5th July: England v Mexico – Mexico City
- July 6: Spain vs. Portugal – Arlington
- July 6: Belgium vs. USA – Seattle
- July 7: Argentina vs. Egypt – Atlanta
- July 7: Switzerland vs. Colombia – Vancouver
quarterfinals
- July 9: France vs. Morocco – Foxborough
- July 10: Spain vs. Belgium – Inglewood
- July 11: England vs. England – Miami
- July 11: Argentina vs. Switzerland – Kansas City
Semi-final
- July 14: Spain vs. France – Arlington
- July 15: England vs Argentina – Atlanta
final
- July 19th at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey
- Referee: Ismail Elfus
- Assistant referee: Corey Parker, Kyle Atkins
- Fourth person involved: Maurizio Mariani
- Reserve assistant referee: Daniele Bindoni
- our: Marco Di Bello
- Assistant VAR: Juan Lara
- VAR support: Tatiana Guzman
England won the World Cup in 1966, their only country to win it.
Lionel Messi plays for the Major League Soccer club Inter Miami. He joined the team in 2023.
England’s Jude Bellingham plays for Spain’s Real Madrid.
England and Argentina will kick off at 2pm central time.
England won their only World Cup in 1966.
The 2026 World Cup final is scheduled for Sunday, July 19th.
England’s Harry Kane plays football for Bayern Munich in Germany.
England’s Jude Bellingham has scored six goals in six games in the tournament, including two in the round of 16 against Mexico and two in the quarter-final against Norway.
England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford plays for Everton in the Premier League.
Argentina has hosted the World Championship three times: in 1978, 1986 and 2018.
- 2022: Argentina🇦🇷
- 2018: France 🇫🇷
- 2014: Germany 🇩🇪
- 2010: Spain🇪🇸
- 2006: Italy🇮🇹
- 2002: Brazil🇧🇷
- 1998: France 🇫🇷
- 1994: Brazil🇧🇷
- 1990: west germany
- 1986: Argentina🇦🇷
- 1982: Italy🇮🇹
- 1978: Argentina🇦🇷
- 1974: west germany
- 1970: Brazil🇧🇷
- 1966: England 🏴 · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·
- 1962: Brazil🇧🇷
- 1958: Brazil🇧🇷
- 1954: west germany
- 1950: Uruguay 🇺🇾
- 1938: Italy
- 1934: Italy
- 1930: Uruguay 🇺🇾
Going into Wednesday’s semi-finals, only three teams remain in the 2026 World Cup: Spain, Argentina and England.
Argentina’s Julián Álvarez, who scored the winning goal in the quarterfinals against Switzerland, is currently playing for Spain’s Atlético Madrid, but is expected to move this summer.
Álvarez told reporters before the start of the World Cup: “I try to be an honest person and I spoke to the people at the club that I had to talk to. I think it’s best for everyone to move and I want to make my dream come true.”
England midfielder Declan Rice plays for current Premier League champions Arsenal.
The World Cup semi-final match between Argentina and England kicks off at 12pm Pacific time.
England vs Argentina World Cup Semi-Final Tickets
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The 2026 FIFA World Cup Finals will be held on Sunday, July 19th at MetLife Stadium, home of the New York Giants and Jets.
Argentina national team midfielder Enzo Fernandes plays for Chelsea in the English Premier League.
England’s Jude Bellingham celebrated his 23rd birthday on June 29th.
