England vs Argentina Prediction: FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi-Final Preview, Lineups and Best Bets
- Date: Wednesday, July 15, 2026
- Kick-off (IST): 12:30 AM, July 16, 2026
- Kick-off (Local Time - ET): 3:00 PM
- Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta Stadium), Atlanta
- TV Broadcast (India): Zee Sports Network (Unite8 Sports channels) and ZEE5
England and Argentina will play in the second semi-final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The winner will go to the World Cup final. It has been 20 years since these two teams last played against each other. England are hoping to reach their first World Cup final since 1966.
Both teams had a tough journey to the semi-final. England beat Norway after extra time in the quarter-final. Argentina also needed extra time to defeat Switzerland.
England vs Argentina Head-to-Head Record
- Total Matches: 6
- England Wins: 4
- Argentina Wins: 2 (including the 1998 penalty shootout)
| Year | Stage | Matchup | Result | Winner |
| 1962 | World Cup Group Stage | England vs. Argentina | 3–1 | England |
| 1966 | World Cup Quarter-Final | England vs. Argentina | 1–0 | England |
| 1986 | World Cup Quarter-Final | Argentina vs. England | 2–1 | Argentina |
| 1998 | World Cup Round of 16 | Argentina vs. England | 2–2 (4–3 pens) | Argentina |
| 2002 | World Cup Group Stage | England vs. Argentina | 1–0 | England |
| 2005 | Friendly | England vs. Argentina | 3–2 | England |
England and Argentina have played many matches over the years. The two teams have met five times at the World Cup. England has won three matches, and Argentina has won one. One of the matches ended in a draw before Argentina won on penalties.
England Recent Performance | FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi-Final
| Round | Opponent | Result | Goals For | Goals Against | Extra Time |
| Round of 32 | DR Congo | Win | 2 | 1 | No |
| Round of 16 | Mexico | Win | 3 | 2 | No |
| Quarter-Final | Norway | Win | 2 | 1 | Yes (AET) |
England has scored at least two goals in each of their last four matches. Jude Bellingham has been their best player. He has two goals in each of his last two games. However, England's defence has made some mistakes. They also faced injuries and suspensions that left them short of options at right-back.
Argentina Recent Performance | FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi-Final
| Round | Opponent | Result | Goals For | Goals Against | Extra Time |
| Round of 32 | Cape Verde | Win | 3 | 2 | Yes (AET) |
| Round of 16 | Egypt | Win | 3 | 2 | No |
| Quarter-Final | Switzerland | Win | 3 | 1 | Yes (AET) |
Argentina has had an exciting journey to the semi-final. They played hard in the knockout stage to stay in the tournament. They were losing 2-0 to Egypt with only 11 minutes left. But Argentina came back to win the match. They also needed extra time to beat Switzerland in the next round. Argentina has now won 13 matches in a row since last September. Lionel Messi and his teammates have scored three goals in each of their last four matches.
England Vs Argentina Team Comparison
| Performance Metric | England | Argentina |
| Knockout Record | 3 Wins / 0 Losses | 3 Wins / 0 Losses |
| Total Goals Scored | 7 | 9 |
| Total Goals Conceded | 4 | 5 |
| Average Goals Scored / Match | 2.33 | 3 |
| Average Goals Conceded / Match | 1.33 | 1.67 |
| Matches Requiring Extra Time | 1 of 3 (vs. Norway) | 2 of 3 (vs. Cape Verde, Switzerland) |
| Current Team Win Streak | — | 13 matches (since last Sept.) |
| Key Form Factor | Jude Bellingham (goals in back-to-back games) | Lionel Messi / Attack scored 3+ goals in 4 straight games |
Key Players to Watch
- England: Jude Bellingham (scored 6 goals in the tournament), Harry Kane (making his 121st appearance for England, scored 6 goals in the tournament), and Declan Rice (main defensive midfielder).
- Argentina: Lionel Messi (joint-top scorer in the tournament with 8 goals), Julian Alvarez (scored the extra-time winning goal against Switzerland in the quarter-final), and Enzo Fernandez (key midfielder who helps create attacks).
Predicted Lineups: England Vs Argentina
England Playing 11
| Position | Player |
| Goalkeeper | Jordan Pickford |
| Right-Back | Ezri Konsa |
| Centre-Back | John Stones |
| Centre-Back | Marc Guehi |
| Left-Back | Kayky O'Reilly |
| Defensive Midfielder | Declan Rice |
| Central Midfielder | Elliot Anderson |
| Right Winger | Bukayo Saka |
| Attacking Midfielder | Jude Bellingham |
| Left Winger | Anthony Gordon |
| Striker | Harry Kane |
Argentina Predicted Lineup
| Position | Player |
| Goalkeeper | Emiliano Martinez |
| Right-Back | Nahuel Molina |
| Centre-Back | Cristian Romero |
| Centre-Back | Lisandro Martinez |
| Left-Back | Nicolas Tagliafico |
| Defensive Midfielder | Leandro Paredes |
| Central Midfielder | Rodrigo De Paul |
| Central Midfielder | Enzo Fernandez |
| Attacking Midfielder | Alexis Mac Allister |
| Forward | Julian Alvarez |
| Forward | Lionel Messi |
Injury Update
England team’s injured players
Jordan Henderson is facing wrist surgery. He will not play in the upcoming matches. Jarell Quansah got suspended after getting a red card. Reece James is in Fitness doubt. He may not play the match against Argentina. Declan Rice is recovering from illness but is expected to be available.
Argentina team’s injured players
Leonardo Balerdi will not play the upcoming match due to his calf injury. Lionel Messi had a Minor muscle strain earlier in the tournament, but he is expected to play. Argentina has a complete team of fit players for the match against England.
Betting odds: England vs Argentina
| Bet Category | Selection | Odds |
| Match Winner (90 Mins) | England | +154 |
| Argentina | +210 | |
| Draw | +200 | |
| To Qualify | England | -125 |
| Argentina | +105 | |
| Both Teams to Score | Yes | -120 |
| No | -105 | |
| Total Goals | Over 2.5 | +125 |
| Under 2.5 | -155 | |
| Correct Score | England 1-0 | +550 |
| Draw 1-1 | +550 | |
| Draw 0-0 | +600 | |
| Argentina 1-0 | +700 | |
| England 2-1 | +1000 | |
| Argentina 2-1 | +1100 |
Match Prediction: England vs Argentina
This is expected to be a very close match between two strong teams. England have played well throughout the tournament, while Argentina came into the game with strong attacking form. Argentina has more experience in winning knockout matches. England will depend on Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane to score goals. Argentina’s attack will be led by Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez.
- Predicted Score: Argentina 2–1 England
- Predicted Winner: Argentina
- Total Goals: Under 2.5 Goals (Possible)
Also Read- France vs Spain Prediction Semi-Final Prediction 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When will England play Argentina in the 2026 World Cup semi-final?
England and Argentina will play on Wednesday, July 15, 2026.
What time will the England vs Argentina match start in India?
The match will start at 12:30 AM IST on July 16, 2026.
Where can I watch the England vs Argentina match in India?
You can watch the match on Zee Sports Network or stream it on ZEE5.
Has England ever beaten Argentina in the World Cup?
Yes, England has beaten Argentina in the World Cup in 1962, 1966, and 2002.
Will Lionel Messi play against England?
Yes, Lionel Messi is expected to play. He will be one of Argentina’s biggest threats.
Who are England’s top scorers in the 2026 World Cup?
Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane are England’s top scorers. Both have scored six goals in this tournament so far.
Will Declan Rice play against Argentina?
Declan Rice is recovering from illness but is expected to be fit for the match.
When did England and Argentina last play against each other?
Their last meeting was in 2005. England won a friendly match 3-2.