Argentina Vs England Predicted Starting XIs For FIFA World Cup Semifinal Match

Published 15 July 2026 · sports

Argentina Vs England Predicted Starting XIs For FIFA World Cup Semifinal Match Published By, Last Updated: July 15, 2026, 15:39 IST Argentina faces England in

Argentina Vs England Predicted Starting XIs For FIFA World Cup Semifinal Match Published By, Last Updated: July 15, 2026, 15:39 IST Argentina faces England in a semi-final match for a spot in the final against Spain. Both teams rely on star players like Messi and Kane, but need broader contributions. Argentina and England to take on each other in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. (AP) After one blockbuster semi-final with a deep history, we move to another. Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina take on Thomas Tuchel’s England for a place in the final against Spain. The narrative of this contest has its roots so deep that you need to go back over 75 years to find a relatively non-eventful game. As of the FIFA World Cup 2026, they both have been similarly imperfect, brimming with excellent players but over-reliant on a couple to get them this far.

You can expect Argentina to again rely heavily on the great man, Lionel Messi, to create and score goals. England, similarly, would look at Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham with puppy eyes. But as the Spain-France match showed, when it comes to this round, the non-stars are as important as the super ones. So England will need better contributions from the likes of Anthony Gordon, Nico O’Reilly, and Reece James, while Argentina would want Julián Álvarez and Enzo Fernández to continue their recent form. Both sides have complications. England have looked tired for most of the competition so far, and even though Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka will likely start, they won’t be able to continue beyond the 90. Argentina, on the other hand, needs a better balance and a much better defensive composition — they have been quite lucky with some chances all tournament — and a couple of tweaks can’t be ruled out.

Then, there’s the off-field stuff, the controversies, the near-certain needle, and the special variable of the fact that this is Messi’s first against England that’ll make it swirl and twist and turn in all the fun ways. Argentina Vs England Predicted Starting XIs England: Jordan Pickford; Reece James, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guéhi, Nico O’Reilly; Elliot Anderson, Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham; Bukayo Saka, Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane Argentina: Emiliano Martínez; Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Nicolás Tagliafico; Leandro Paredes, Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister; Lionel Messi, Julián Álvarez News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Key Questions Answered Will Messi's first match against England impact the game? I cannot make predictions about the impact of a match. According to news reports, Lionel Messi will face England for the first time in a FIFA World Cup semifinal.