Follow live coverage as England face Argentina in the World Cup 2026 semi-final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, with a place in the final against either Brazil or France at stake.
The match kicks off at 8pm local time (1am BST) and represents England's biggest fixture since the 1966 World Cup final. Gareth Southgate's side reached this stage by defeating Belgium 3-1 in the quarter-finals, a performance widely described as the most complete England display in a knockout match in sixty years.
Argentina, the defending champions, reached the semi-finals by defeating the Netherlands on penalties after a 2-2 draw, with Lionel Messi, playing in his final World Cup at the age of 39, scoring both of his side's goals. The match is the first World Cup meeting between England and Argentina since the 1998 round of 16, when Argentina won on penalties after David Beckham's red card.
The build-up has been dominated by discussion of the rivalry between the two nations, which extends far beyond football to encompass the Falklands War, the Hand of God and a cultural antipathy that has been passed down through generations. Both managers have attempted to play down the historical dimension, but the players and the supporters have made clear that this is more than a football match.
England have named an unchanged side from the Belgium match. Argentina have made one change, with the experienced Nicolás Otamendi returning to the defence in place of Cristian Romero, who is suspended. The MetLife Stadium, with a capacity of 82,500, is sold out, and the atmosphere is reported to be among the most intense ever experienced at a World Cup match.
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