England vs Argentina Prediction. England face defending champions Argentina in the World Cup semi-final at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta on Wednesday, 16 July 2026 (19:00 UTC / 22:00 EAT). England have not lost to Argentina since 1998. Messi leads the golden boot with 8 goals. Rice is out. Kane and Bellingham have six goals each. Our prediction: both teams to score. Full analysis, team news, line-ups and all markets on SportPesa.
Match details
| Field | Detail |
| Competition | 2026 FIFA World Cup — Semi-Final |
| Date & kick-off | Wednesday, 16 July 2026 at 19:00 UTC / 22:00 EAT |
| Venue | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, USA |
| How they got here | England: beat Norway 2-1 AET in QF. Argentina: beat Switzerland 3-1 AET in QF. |
| Historic significance | England’s fourth major tournament semi-final since 2018 (2018 WC, Euro 2020, Euro 2024, now 2026 WC). England unbeaten vs Argentina since 1998. England seeking first World Cup title since 1966. Argentina seeking back-to-back world titles. |
| Format | Single elimination. If level after 90 mins: 30 mins extra time, then penalty shoot-out. |
| Final | Sunday, 19 July 2026, MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey. |
| Where to watch | DSTV/GOTV |
60 years of hurt vs the back-to-back dream
England’s World Cup semi-final appearance is their fourth in a major tournament since 2018, but history continues to weigh heavily. They have not won the World Cup since they hosted and lifted the trophy in 1966, and their two previous World Cup semi-final appearances in 1990 and 2018 both ended in defeat. Thomas Tuchel’s side have reached this stage by winning all their knockout matches by a single goal margin — 1-0 over South Africa, 3-2 over Mexico, 2-1 AET over Norway — a testament to their fighting spirit and the decisive contributions of Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane, who share six tournament goals each.
England’s team news has been significantly disrupted. Declan Rice — their midfield anchor throughout the tournament — is sidelined with an injury and will miss this match. Jarell Quansah remains suspended following his red card against Mexico. Reece James, who came off the bench against Norway, could start at right-back alongside Elliot Anderson in the newly configured midfield. Bukayo Saka is confirmed to start; Anthony Gordon retains his place on the left. Eberechi Eze and Morgan Rogers came off the bench vs Norway and are likely to be used in that capacity again.
Argentina arrive as the clear pedigree favourites. Lionel Scaloni’s defending champions have won all seven of their 2026 World Cup matches, scoring 17 goals — the highest total of any team remaining. A 3-1 win over Switzerland in extra time confirmed their place here. They are seeking back-to-back World Cup titles for the first time since Brazil won in 1958 and 1962.
Lionel Messi enters this match as the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer with 21 career goals and 10 all-time assists. His eight goals in this tournament put him level with Mbappé at the top of the golden boot race. Julián Álvarez retains his starting role after Lautaro Martínez came off the bench against Switzerland. Cristían Romero and Leandro Paredes both limped off in the QF but are expected to be fit to start.
Availability
| Player | Status |
| Declan Rice (England) | OUT — injury. Confirms absence for this match. |
| Jarell Quansah (England) | SUSPENDED — red card from Mexico R16 suspension carries into the SF. |
| Reece James (England) | EXPECTED TO START — came off bench vs Norway; likely fills right-back slot. |
| Cristían Romero (Argentina) | EXPECTED FIT — limped off vs Switzerland. Confirm before kick-off. |
| Leandro Paredes (Argentina) | EXPECTED FIT — limped off vs Switzerland. Confirm before kick-off. |
Team news and expected line-ups
England: Rice OUT, Quansah SUSPENDED. James likely starts at RB. Anderson in midfield. Bellingham and Kane lead. Saka on right, Gordon on left.
Argentina: Messi leads on 8 goals. Álvarez starts (Lautaro bench). Romero and Paredes expected fit — confirm. De Paul, Enzo, Mac Allister in midfield.
| England (4-3-3 expected) | Argentina (4-3-3 expected) |
| Pickford (GK) | E. Martínez (GK) |
| James (RB) | Montiel (RB) |
| Stones (CB) | Romero (CB) |
| Guehi (CB) | L. Martínez (CB) |
| Trippier (LB) | Tagliafico (LB) |
| Anderson (CM) | De Paul (DM) |
| Bellingham (AM) | Enzo Fernández (CM) |
| Saka (RW) | Mac Allister (CM) |
| Eze / Rogers (CM) | Di María / Almada (RW) |
| Gordon (LW) | Messi (AM) |
| Kane (ST) | Álvarez (ST) |
Key stats
- England: QF result — beat Norway 2-1 AET. Fourth major tournament SF since 2018.
- England: unbeaten vs Argentina since 1998 (W2 D1 in the last 3 competitive meetings).
- England: all knockout wins by a single goal margin (1-0, 3-2, 2-1 AET).
- Declan Rice: OUT — injury. England’s midfield anchor absent for the first time in the tournament.
- Jarell Quansah: SUSPENDED. Reece James expected to start.
- Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham: joint England top scorers with 6 goals each.
- Bukayo Saka: confirmed to start on the right wing.
- England form (last 5): W W W W D.
- Argentina: QF result — beat Switzerland 3-1 AET. W7 in all 7 WC matches.
- Argentina: 17 tournament goals — highest of any remaining side.
- Argentina: seeking back-to-back World Cup titles (first since Brazil 1958-62).
- Lionel Messi: 8 tournament goals (equal golden boot with Mbappé). 21 all-time WC goals. 10 all-time WC assists.
- Julián Álvarez: retains starting role (Lautaro bench vs Switzerland).
- Cristían Romero and Leandro Paredes: both limped off vs Switzerland. Expected fit — confirm.
- Argentina form (last 5): W W W W W — 14-match winning streak in all competitions.
- H2H (last 5): England W2 D1 L0 Argentina from 2002 onwards. England have not lost since 1998.
Head-to-head
England have not lost to Argentina since the 1998 World Cup, where they lost on penalties. This will be the sixth World Cup meeting between the nations and is one of the fixture’s most historically significant rivalries, including the Hand of God in 1986 and the 1966 quarter-final. In the five meetings since 1991, England have won two and drawn one, losing only in 1998.
| Date | Result |
| 12 November 2005 | England 3–2 Argentina |
| 7 June 2002 | Argentina 0–1 England |
| 23 February 2000 | England 0–0 Argentina |
| 30 June 1998 | Argentina 2–2 England (Argentina won 4-3 on pens) |
| 25 May 1991 | England 2–2 Argentina |
Current form
| Team | Last 5 (inc. WC) |
| England | W W W W D — all KO wins by single goal; Rice now absent |
| Argentina | W W W W W — 14-match winning run; 17 WC goals scored |
Our prediction
Argentina’s 14-match winning streak, 17 tournament goals and the individual genius of Messi make them the analytical favourites. Their winning pedigree and depth — with Álvarez starting and Lautaro to call upon from the bench — is formidable.
England, however, have not lost to Argentina since 1998 and Bellingham and Kane represent a match-winning threat in their own right. England’s tournament has been built on defensive resilience and decisive individual moments. The loss of Rice is significant, but with Tuchel’s tactical flexibility and the quality of the flanks through Saka and Gordon, England will create chances.
Both teams have averaged over two goals across their World Cup matches. Argentina’s quality in attack and England’s proven ability to score make goals on both sides the most defensible analytical position.
Our prediction: both teams to score.
Odds and markets
Odds correct at 2200 hrs UTC on 15/07/2026 and subject to change.
How to bet on SportPesa
- Open the England vs Argentina event page on SportPesa (link above).
- Choose your market — Single Bet (SB), Multi-Bet (MB), or Live Bet (LB) once the match starts.
- Enter your stake and place your bet.
Frequently asked questions
What time does England vs Argentina kick off?
Kick-off is at 19:00 UTC / 22:00 EAT on Wednesday, 16 July 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Is Declan Rice playing for England?
No. Declan Rice is sidelined with an injury and will not feature in this semi-final. Reece James, who came off the bench against Norway, is likely to start in a reconfigured midfield alongside Elliot Anderson.
When did England last beat Argentina?
England beat Argentina 3-2 in a November 2005 friendly and 1-0 in the 2002 World Cup. England have not lost to Argentina since the 1998 World Cup, where Argentina won 4-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw.
How many World Cup goals has Messi scored in 2026?
Lionel Messi has scored eight goals at this World Cup, level with Kylian Mbappé at the top of the golden boot race. Across his entire World Cup career, Messi has now scored 21 goals — the all-time record — and provided 10 assists.
Have England ever won a World Cup semi-final before?
Yes, once — in 1966 when England hosted and won the tournament, beating Portugal 2-1 in the semi-final. Their two other World Cup semi-final appearances in 1990 (lost West Germany on pens) and 2018 (lost Croatia 2-1 AET) both ended in defeat.
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