England vs Argentina: World Cup 2026 prediction, kick-off time, team news, TV, live stream, h2h results, odds | OneFootball

Fierce rivals clash for the right to meet Spain in Sunday’s showpiece

England face rivals Argentina tonight in the second heavyweight World Cup 2026 semi-final tie.

Spain await in Sunday’s final in New Jersey after the reigning European champions brushed aside favourites France 2-0 on Tuesday.

Jude Bellingham was the Three Lions’ hero last time out as his brace secured a nervy 2-1 quarter-final win over Norway in Miami.

England’s performance was a far cry from the swashbuckling showing they produced in beating Mexico at the Estadio Azteca in the last 16, and things will get no easier as they face up to a difficult semi-final.

Argentina have refused to do anything the easy way this summer. They came dangerously close to exiting the tournament in both the rounds of 32 and 16 as they were pushed all the way by a spirited Cape Verde and required a controversial late comeback to edge past Egypt.

The 39-year-old Lionel Messi has been in inspired form, though, chalking up a remarkable eight goals and two assists in six appearances, the most recent of those contributions coming as he teed up Alexis Mac Allister’s opener in the 3-1 quarter-final victory over Switzerland.

England vs Argentina is scheduled for an 8pm BST kick-off today on Wednesday July 15, 2026.

The match will take place at Atlanta Stadium.

TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live and free-to-air on BBC One, with coverage starting at 7pm BST.

Live stream: UK viewers can also catch the contest live online via the BBC Sport website and BBC iPlayer.

Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog, with expert analysis from England correspondent Dom Smith at Atlanta Stadium.

Free highlights: World Cup highlights are available on FIFA’s official YouTube channel, along with the BBC iPlayer and ITVX app.

England vs Argentina team news

Declan Rice is expected to start in England’s midfield as usual after recovering from illness and fatigue, having been substituted at half-time against Norway.

Marc Guehi shook off a hamstring injury to start that match, while Reece James came off the bench to feature - in midfield - for the first time since tweaking his hamstring during the group stage.

Jarell Quansah will serve the remainder of his two-match ban, and will be available to feature in the final if England progress.

Jordan Henderson will not play again at this World Cup after surgery on the freak wrist injury he suffered against Mexico.

England squad: Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, James Trafford, Ezri Konsa, Nico O'Reilly, John Stones, Marc Guehi, Trevoh Chalobah, Dan Burn, Reece James, Djed Spence, Jarell Quansah, Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, Kobbie Mainoo, Morgan Rogers, Eberechi Eze, Bukayo Saka, Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Gordon, Ollie Watkins, Noni Madueke, Ivan Toney

Hooked: Declan Rice only played 45 minutes against Norway, though Thomas Tuchel insists he is fit

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Argentina have reached the World Cup semi-finals without any serious injuries, but have survived a number of scares at this tournament.

Messi is expected to be fit despite taking a whack to the eye against Switzerland, which required treatment. Tottenham defender Cristian Romero was sent for scans last week amid fears of a calf injury, but was cleared and started the quarter-final.

As with Tuchel, Lionel Scaloni may be forced to freshen up his starting XI after their exhausting quarter-final needed to be settled by extra time.

Argentina squad: Juan Musso, Geronimo Rulli, Emiliano Martinez, Marcos Senesi, Nicolas Tagliafico, Gonzalo Montiel, Lisandro Martinez, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Facundo Medina, Nahuel Molina, Leandro Paredes, Rodrigo De Paul, Valentin Barco, Giovani Lo Celso, Exequiel Palacios, Nicolas Gonzalez, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, Julian Alvarez, Lionel Messi, Thiago Almada, Giuliano Simeone, Nicolas Paz, Jose Manuel Lopez, Lautaro Martinez

No worries: Lionel Messi will be fit to face England despite taking a knock against Switzerland

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England vs Argentina prediction

Both England and Argentina arrive at this juncture of the World Cup after tumultuous, dramatic campaigns, and there is a question to be asked as to which side has dealt better with the twists and turns of their run.

Two of Argentina’s knockout ties have been settled by extra time and the third required an exhausting late comeback, and the hard yards will surely soon catch up to the reigning champions. They already seem to be affecting Messi.

This will be another closely contested affair, and it may well be a case of survival of the fittest. England’s depth options have justified their inclusion so far in this tournament, and, as such, we expect the Three Lions to progress to the final in New Jersey.

Head to head (h2h) history and results

It has been 21 years since England last faced Argentina, winning 3-2 in a friendly staged in Geneva as Michael Owen scored a dramatic late brace.

This will be their sixth meeting at a World Cup, though, and the breakdown is just about even across the previous five clashes. England have won three (1962, 1966, 2002), and Argentina two (1986, 1998).

England wins: 6

Argentina wins: 3

Draws: 5

England vs Argentina match odds