England vs Argentina Preview - prediction, team news, lineups | FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi-Finals

Three of the top five contenders in the Golden Boot race lock horns in the England vs Argentina semis.

Dallas Stadium (AT&T Stadium) in Texas, United States of America, gears up to host the semi-final fixtures of the FIFA World Cup 2026, where the 1966 champions England and defending champions Argentina lock horns in what is set to be a thrilling contest.

Is Football Finally Coming Home after a long wait of nearly six decades? The Three Lions have been one of the most consistent teams in the world, making it to back-to-back Euro finals, finishing fourth in the 2018 semi-finals, and now England have a golden chance to make it to the World Cup Finals after 60 years.

Thomas Tuchel’s side went on to escape an early exit against DR Congo, secured a historic win over hosts Mexico at the Azteca in the round of 16 and clinched a comeback 2-1 win over Norway in the quarter-finals to book a top-four finish in the FIFA World Cup 2026.

La Albiceleste are just two wins away from clinching back-to-back FIFA World Cups. Despite facing relatively easier opponents in the knockouts, Argentina failed to win any game within the first 90 minutes and won all the games against Cape Verde, Egypt and Switzerland in extra time.

For the first time in the FIFA World Cup 2026, Argentina are set to face a team ranked below 10 in the latest FIFA rankings. Lionel Scaloni must fix his team’s defensive woes and try to get the better of Thomas Tuchel’s boys, who will be without the presence of Jarrel Quansah for the next game.

The winner of this game will face either France or Spain in the final. If Spain wins in the first game and England wins here, we can see a recap of the 2024 Euros finals, and if France and Argentina advance, the 2022 World Cup finalists will lock horns.

The semifinals bring a fierce, knockout intensity where reputations matter less than 90 minutes of pure desire. The tournament enters a phase where absolute underdogs can stun football giants. Fans can expect a thrilling, high-stakes battle where any result is possible and either side has everything it takes to win.

Kick-off:

• Location: Arlington, Texas, USA
• Stadium: Dallas Stadium (AT&T Stadium)
• Date: Wednesday, July 15
• Kick-off time: 8 p.m. BST / 2 p.m. local CDT [Thursday, July 16 at 12:30 a.m. IST]
• Referee: TBD
• VAR: In use

Form:

England (in all competitions): W-W-D-W-W

Argentina (in all competitions): W-W-W-W-W

Players to Watch

Jude Bellingham (England)

The Golden Boot Race in the FIFA World Cup 2026 has become even more interesting with Jude Bellingham’s arrival among the ranks of some of the most prolific strikers in world football. Bellingham has scored two back-to-back braces against Mexico and Norway to lead England to the semi-finals.

Bellingham is arguably the most important player for Thomas Tuchel after Harry Kane. The attacking midfielder from Real Madrid has time and again shown why he is regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world. He will be a player to watch out for who can make all the difference for England in the semi-finals.

Julian Alvarez (Argentina)

Born in the flat agricultural heartlands of Calchin in Argentina, the Argentine striker scored a stunning goal in extra time against ten man against Switzerland to propel La Albiceleste to the semi-finals. After starting from the bench in the first few games, Scaloni called him, and the Atletico Madrid striker did not disappoint.

One of the very few players to win the FIFA World Cup, Copa America, Premier League and the UEFA Champions League so early in his life, Alvarez is a clutch player for Argentina. England’s defence has looked shaky in the tournament, and Alvarez will be keen to find his name on the scoresheet against the Three Lions.

Match Facts

• The infamous Hand of God moment happened when these two sides met in the 1986 World Cup.
• England have won almost half the fixtures played between these two sides.
• Michael Owen of England is the leading goalscorer in this fixture.

England vs Argentina: Betting Tips and Odds

• England to win – 13/8 with bet365
• Harry Kane to score – 6/5 with bet365
• England 2-2 Argentina – 14/1 with bet365

Injury and Team News

England are very, very lucky not to miss any of their big names like Bellingham or O’Reilly, who were in serious trouble as they were just a card away from missing the semis. However, Tuchel’s right-back problem continues. Quansah is suspended, and Chelsea captain Reece James does not appear fit to start.

In the midfield, Jordan Henderson remains out. Madueke did not impress much, and Saka might replace him. Tuchel will be hoping Arsenal lad Declan Rice is fit after his performance was affected against Norway due to illness.

Lionel Scaloni is expected to name an unchanged eleven. It will be interesting to see whether Julian Alvarez or Lautaro Martinez partners with Messi, but given Alvarez’s performance, he is likely to start.

Head-to-Head

Total games: 14

England won: 06

Argentina won: 03

Matches drawn: 05

Predicted Lineups

England predicted lineup (4-2-3-1)

Jordan Pickford (GK); Ezri Konsa, John Stones, Marc Guéhi, Jack O’Reilly; Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson; Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon; Harry Kane.

Argentina predicted lineup (4-3-3)

Emiliano Martínez (GK); Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Nicolás Tagliafico; Leandro Paredes; Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister; Lionel Messi, Julián Álvarez.

Match Prediction

Both teams are equally capable and deserving of playing the finals, but unfortunately, football is a cruel game, and only one can advance. Argentina will face a top-10 team for the first time, and they have failed to win comfortably against relatively easier sides in the knockouts.

England have a world-class gaffer in the form of Thomas Tuchel, who knows how to win games. It is a very difficult call to make, but we expect the Three Lions to make it to the World Cup Finals for the first time in six decades after winning the game on penalties.

Prediction: England 2-2 Argentina (England to win in penalties)

Telecast Details

India: Unite8 Sports Channels, ZEE5

UK: BBC & ITV

USA: FOX Sports

Nigeria: DStv, GOtv

Full Broadcaster List here.

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