England vs Argentina World Cup 2026 semi-final preview: Prediction, team news & line-ups | OneFootball

England and Argentina are set to write another chapter in their storied rivalry at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, four decades after Diego Maradona’s iconic performance in Mexico.

Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium forms the backdrop for this mouth-watering semi-final tie on Thursday, July 15th, with the Three Lions seeking revenge for frustrating World Cup defeats in 1986 and 2018.

Thomas Tuchel’s title-bidding side demonstrated their unparalleled fighting spirit in the last eight, overturning a one-goal deficit to beat Norway 2-1 after extra-time drama.

Argentina also needed extra time to overcome Switzerland in a controversial quarter-final, with La Albiceleste scoring twice after the 90th minute to seal a 3-1 victory against 10-man opponents.

Lionel Scaloni’s men are now within touching distance of another final, looking to become the first team to defend the title since Brazil in the 1960s, but standing in their way is a side desperate to avenge past heartbreaks.

Is it finally coming home?

Despite a 4-2 rout of Croatia in their opening game of the tournament, England failed to impress in the group stages, drawing 0-0 with Ghana before squeaking past Panama in the Group L finale.

However, they seem to have come into their own during the knockouts. After beating DR Congo from a goal down, they put five goals past Mexico and Norway to reach a fourth major tournament semi-final since 2018.

Real Madrid superstar Jude Bellingham has been the architect of England’s stellar knockout run, scoring back-to-back braces to take his tournament tally to six goals, as many as the country’s all-time top scorer, Harry Kane.

After his match-winning performance in Miami, Bellingham hit back at Tuchel, who was vocal about his discontent with England’s overall display against Norway, fuelling tensions ahead of this historic showdown.

Tuchel will hope the public disagreement serves as motivation rather than a distraction as he bids to become the first foreign manager in 48 years to reach the World Cup final.

Facing Argentina is a formidable task, but England can take heart from their recent dominance in this fixture, going unbeaten in three consecutive meetings since their last World Cup defeat to La Albiceleste in 1998.

Curse of reigning champs

It’s been over 60 years since Brazil became the last side to retain football’s most prestigious trophy, but Argentina have a golden opportunity to finally end this historic drought.

Scaloni’s charges have won all six matches in North America and their last 12 World Cup outings overall, though their two most recent knockout games produced plenty of controversy.

That’s unlikely to bother the reigning Copa America champions, who enter this encounter as the tournament’s most prolific side with 17 goals, just one short of Argentina’s all-time World Cup record set during their run to the 1930 final.

Even though Lionel Messi failed to get on the scoresheet against Switzerland, La Albiceleste scored three goals in a fourth successive World Cup match, accounting for their second-longest such run in competition history.

Messi remains the beating heart of this Argentina side, and Scaloni’s hopes of becoming just the second Albiceleste manager to lead his team in two World Cup finals are likely to rest on the 39-year-old’s shoulders.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner must roll back the years if Argentina are to defy their dreadful record against England, with the South American giants winning just three of the 14 meetings between the sides.

Team news & line-ups

With Jarell Quansah still suspended and Reece James prone to injuries, Ezri Konsa is likely to start at right back again unless Tuchel decides to bring Djed Spence back to the starting XI.

Jordan Henderson remains on the sidelines with a wrist injury, but Declan Rice should be fit to start despite struggling with illness.

Scaloni has his entire squad available for selection, yet he may field the same starting line-up that squeezed past Switzerland, with Julian Alvarez expected to get the nod ahead of Lautaro Martinez.

England (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Konsa, Stones, Guehi, O’Reilly; Rice, Anderson; Saka, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane.

Argentina (4-1-3-2): E. Martinez; Molina, Romero, Li. Martinez, Tagliafico; Paredes; De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister; Messi, Alvarez.

Prediction

Given the magnitude of the occasion, a cagey contest could be on the cards, which may play into England’s hands.

Argentina haven’t faced a top team on their road to the semi-finals, while it’s worth noting they’ve struggled in all three knockout ties.

On that basis, the Three Lions appear capable of ending La Albiceleste’s title defence.