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

England have the chance to return to the World Cup final for the first time since 1966 as they face defending champions Argentina in the semi-final.

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.

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

The match will take place at Atlanta Stadium.

TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on BBC One, with coverage starting at 7pm BST ahead of an 8pm kick-off.

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

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

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

Concern remains surrounding Declan Rice as he was hooked at half-time of England’s win over Norway after struggling with illness in the lead-up to the match. Thomas Tuchel insists the change was tactical, though.

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

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

Tuchel may be tempted to rotate after his side were put through a gruelling 120 minutes of football in hot and humid conditions against Norway.

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, Jordan Henderson, Kobbie Mainoo, Morgan Rogers, Eberechi Eze, Bukayo Saka, Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Gordon, Ollie Watkins, Noni Madueke, Ivan Toney

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

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

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

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.

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