England and Argentina are ready to renew an historic World Cup rivalry as the two nations battle for a place in the final.
Spain await the winners of mouthwatering meeting in Atlanta between two sides that have shared plenty of memorable moments at this tournament over the last 60 years. Thomas Tuchel has been given a huge fitness boost after declaring Declan Rice fit to start the semi-final, but the England manager has decisions to make defensively as he bids to combat Lionel Messi – facing England for the first time in his career – and the rest of the attacking array at the disposal of the defending champions.
Can England advance to a men’s World Cup final for the first time since 1966? A politically-charged encounter could well be in store with security increased at the Atlanta Stadium, while Tuchel and Harry Kane have both hit out at suggestions of a rift in camp. They, and Argentina, now know it will be Spain in the final after the European champions comprehensively shut down France to book their spot in New York on Sunday. Who will join them?
Follow all of the latest ahead of England vs Argentina with our live blog below:
Thomas Tuchel clears the air with Jude Bellingham after ‘unfair’ question: ‘It’s blown up in the media’
Thomas Tuchel insists there are “no cracks” with Jude Bellingham and believes the pair are closer than ever before despite the England star publicly hitting back at his manager.
Tuchel apologised for that remark and Bellingham has sparkled under him this summer, taking his World Cup tally to six goals with his brace in the 2-1 extra-time victory against Norway in Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final.
Harry Latham-Coyle15 July 2026 13:40
Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni plays down political tensions
Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has also moved to play down any political tensions around the game amid the continued legacy of the Falklands War.
“The reality is that this is a football match. I can’t mix things up, especially out of respect for what happened so many years ago,” said Scaloni.
“It was a very sad period in our history, and there isn’t much we can do about it, that’s the reality.
“Things are happening elsewhere in the world, and we criticise the existence of war. We certainly remember those people, of course. But it is a football match; we shouldn’t confuse the two.”
Harry Latham-Coyle15 July 2026 13:27
Managers play down past tensions between nations
Thomas Tuchel has said that England are blocking out the historical context of this encounter as much as possible ahead of the game.
“I would say it’s irrelevant, but I’m not sure,” Tuchel admitted. “I think the players are aware, if the fixture provides iconic moments, you cannot say it’s another football match But as a coach we do that. Focus on what we can influence.
“Between us we don’t speak about historic events or iconic moments. In itself, it’s iconic enough, the tension is big enough, we try to influence the players, what we want them to do and how to behave. Try to reduce the information the bigger the situation, hopefully to simplify it enough to execute it. We try what is maybe not possible, but the magnitude of the match is just what it is. It doesn’t help if we engage emotionally.”
Harry Latham-Coyle15 July 2026 13:20
Predict the England vs Argentina score ahead of kick off
Harry Latham-Coyle15 July 2026 13:10
Moo Deng predicts England v Argentina result ahead of World Cup semi-final
Moo Deng, the hippopotamus, has had her say. A pygmy prognosticator?
The Independent15 July 2026 13:08
The truth about England v Argentina and where a chaotic World Cup semi-final will be decided
Still seven hours until the scheduled kick off – it could be a long old day and night. Miguel Delaney explains what to look out for when the football finally starts.
Harry Latham-Coyle15 July 2026 13:00
Could England v Argentina be delayed by storms? World Cup 2026 weather protocol explained ahead of semi-final
Could tonight’s game be delayed by storms? England have already faced one temporary postponement during this tournament, and Flo Clifford explains the situation in Atlanta if weather strikes.
Harry Latham-Coyle15 July 2026 12:45
Argentina’s vice-president calls England ‘usurping pirates’ in rant before World Cup clash
England has been called “invaders” and “usurping pirates” by Argentina’s vice-president in a bizarre rant ahead of the teams’ World Cup semi-final clash.
Political tensions linger between Argentina and Great Britain over the Falkland Islands, which boiled over into conflict in 1982.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said it would be “madness” to mix up sport and politics ahead of the match, but his country’s vice-president Victoria Villarruel stoked up the rhetoric around it in a post on X.
Harry Latham-Coyle15 July 2026 12:35
Fans say time for ‘Hand of God’ revenge as England set for Argentina semi-final
England fans have said it is time for “revenge for the Hand of God” as supporters backed the Three Lions to reach the World Cup final if they can stop Argentina captain Lionel Messi.
Thousands of England supporters have descended on Atlanta ahead of Wednesday’s semi-final.
UK pubs expected to pour 14 million pints during England v Argentina World Cup semi-final
What are your plans tonight? Cram into a pub or wine bar? England’s deep World Cup run has proved profitable for plenty of publicans across the country.
Harry Latham-Coyle15 July 2026 12:15
