England and Argentina will meet once again on football’s biggest stage when they face off in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-finals in Atlanta on Wednesday evening, with the winners set to face Spain in Sunday’s final.
The match will be the sixth World Cup meeting between the two nations, adding another chapter to one of international football’s greatest rivalries.
🇦🇷🏴💥 Argentina and England fans at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.
— 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐔𝐥𝐭𝐫𝐚 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 (@thecasualultra) July 14, 2026
Tomorrow, 40 years later, the two nations meet again in a World Cup semi-final in Atlanta. 🍿 pic.twitter.com/JVxSpr5jJx
England have not always been at their best during the tournament but have shown great determination in the knockout rounds. Thomas Tuchel’s side came from behind to beat Norway 2-1 after extra time in the quarter-finals, reaching their fourth major tournament semi-final since 2018.
The Three Lions are aiming to reach their first World Cup final since winning the tournament in 1966. Tuchel is also hoping to become the first foreign manager in almost 50 years to lead England to a World Cup final.
Defending champions Argentina have been in excellent form, winning all six of their matches so far. Lionel Scaloni’s side defeated Switzerland 3-1 after extra time in the quarter-finals and head into the last four as the tournament’s highest-scoring team with 17 goals.
Argentina have won all five of their previous World Cup semi-finals and will be looking to keep that perfect record intact.
England have won six of their 14 meetings with Argentina, although two of their three defeats came at the World Cup in 1986 and 1998. The Three Lions have remained unbeaten in the last three meetings between the sides, winning the most recent two.
England will once again look to Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane for inspiration. Bellingham has scored two goals in each of the last two knockout matches, while Kane is set to become England’s most-capped outfield player with his 121st international appearance.
Argentina’s biggest threat remains Lionel Messi, who is the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer and assist provider with 21 goals and 10 assists.
England will be without suspended defender Jarell Quansah, while Declan Rice is expected to return after recovering from illness. Argentina are hopeful that Leandro Paredes and Cristian Romero will both be fit despite injury concerns in the quarter-finals.
With a place in the World Cup final against Spain on the line, another memorable encounter between two of football’s biggest nations awaits.
