England - Argentina: score, highlights and statistics

England face Argentina in the semi-final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday, 15 July at 20:00 BST at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. England arrive after winning five of their six matches at this tournament, including a dramatic extra-time quarter-final victory over Norway, while Argentina have won all six of their games and scored a tournament-high 17 goals. In 14 official meetings between the two nations, England hold the edge with six wins to Argentina's three, alongside five draws.

Match Info: England vs Argentina

The 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final between England and Argentina kicks off on Wednesday, 15 July 2026 at 20:00 BST (British Summer Time) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. The winner will advance to the final, where they will face Spain, who defeated France 2-0 in the first semi-final. The tournament's decisive match will be played on 19 July 2026 at MetLife Stadium.

Where to Watch England vs Argentina?

UK viewers can follow the England vs Argentina clash via BBC Radio 5 Live and TalkSport Radio UK, both available online. Republic of Ireland fans can watch on RTÉ2 on television or stream via RTÉ Player, with radio commentary on TalkSport Radio UK. In Australia, the match airs on SBS TV with online streaming through SBS On Demand.

In the United States - the tournament's host nation - the match is broadcast on FOX for English-language viewers and on Telemundo in Spanish, with online options including Fubo TV, Peacock, FOX One, and SiriusXM FC. In Canada, TSN1, TSN3, TSN4, and TSN5 carry the match on television, alongside CTV and French-language RDS, with online access through TSN+ and RDS.ca.

Across Latin America, DIRECTV Sports and Disney+ cover the broadcast for Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, and Uruguay, while Brazil's fans can watch on CazéTV or stream on Disney+. In Germany the match is on MagentaTV; in Italy on Rai 1 and DAZN Italia; in Spain on La 1, DAZN Mundial, and RTVE Play; and in France on M6 and beIN Sports 1.

Match between England and Argentina - Preview

England and Argentina meet in the World Cup semi-finals for the first time since 1990, with a place in the final at stake at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. One of international football's greatest rivalries adds another chapter on the biggest stage.

Thomas Tuchel's Three Lions have combined resilience with attacking quality throughout the tournament. After victories over Croatia and Panama and a goalless draw against Ghana in the group stage, England defeated DR Congo (2-1), edged past Mexico 3-2 in the round of 16 despite playing the final half-hour with ten men, and then overcame Norway 2-1 after extra time in the quarter-finals. Jude Bellingham scored both goals against Norway, while Harry Kane's six goals have taken his World Cup career tally to 14, moving him level with Gerd Müller in fifth place on the all-time scoring list.

Argentina have looked equally convincing. The defending champions have won all six of their matches, scoring a tournament-best 17 goals. Lionel Scaloni's side beat Algeria, Austria and Jordan in the group stage before defeating Cape Verde 3-2 after extra time, producing a stunning comeback from 0-2 down to beat Egypt 3-2, and overcoming Switzerland 3-1 after extra time in the quarter-finals. Lionel Messi has scored eight goals at this tournament - the same number as Kylian Mbappé - and remains the all-time leading World Cup scorer with 21 goals.

Head-to-Head: England vs Argentina

Few international rivalries carry as much history and emotion as England versus Argentina. Across 14 official meetings, England have won six, Argentina three, with five matches ending level. Their encounters have produced some of the most iconic moments in World Cup history, from Diego Maradona's "Hand of God" in 1986 to England's victory in the group stage of the 2002 World Cup.

Here are the five most recent meetings between England and Argentina:

• 12 November 2005 - Friendly - England 3:2 Argentina
• 7 June 2002 - FIFA World Cup - England 1:0 Argentina
• 23 February 2000 - Friendly - England 0:0 Argentina
• 30 June 1998 - FIFA World Cup - Argentina 2:2 England (Argentina won 4-3 on penalties)
• 22 June 1986 - FIFA World Cup - Argentina 2:1 England

England - Recent Form

England enter the semi-final with five wins and one draw from six matches, scoring 13 goals and conceding six.

England's route to the semi-finals has been anything but straightforward. They opened with a 4-2 victory over Croatia, drew 0-0 with Ghana, then defeated Panama 2-0 and DR Congo 2-1. In the knockout stage they edged past Mexico 3-2 despite playing the final half-hour with ten men, before overcoming Norway 2-1 after extra time thanks to another Bellingham brace.

Harry Kane's tally of 6 goals in this tournament takes his career World Cup total to 14 - placing him alongside Gerd Müller in joint-fifth on the all-time list. Bukayo Saka has meanwhile registered 3 assists at this World Cup, becoming only the third England player since 1966 to reach that mark in a single tournament.

Argentina - Recent Form

Argentina arrive in Atlanta as the tournament's most prolific attacking side, with six wins from six matches and 17 goals scored.

The defending champions opened with victories over Algeria (3-0), Austria (2-0) and Jordan (3-1). The knockout stage proved far more demanding: Argentina needed extra time to defeat Cape Verde 3-2, then produced one of the tournament's greatest comebacks by overturning a 0-2 deficit against Egypt to win 3-2. Another extra-time victory followed in the quarter-finals against Switzerland, where goals from Alexis Mac Allister, Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez secured a 3-1 win.

Messi has scored eight goals at this World Cup - level with Kylian Mbappé in the Golden Boot race - and his 21 World Cup goals are the highest total in tournament history. Even when he does not score, as against Switzerland, he remains decisive, setting up Mac Allister's opening goal.

Facts and Statistics

England and Argentina are two of the most storied nations in international football - the sport's inventors meeting its three-time champions. Their rivalry has been defined not just by results but by iconic moments: the 1966 quarter-final, the 1986 double act of Maradona's hand and goal of the century, and Beckham's penalty in 2002. The 2026 semi-final is the latest chapter in a 75-year story.

• In 14 official meetings, England have won six, Argentina three, with five draws.
• Lionel Messi has scored eight goals at the 2026 World Cup - level with Kylian Mbappé - and his 21 World Cup goals are the highest total in tournament history.
• Harry Kane has scored 6 goals at this tournament, taking his all-time World Cup total to 14 - joint-fifth all time, level with Gerd Müller.
• Argentina have scored 17 goals in six matches - more than any other team at the 2026 World Cup.
• This is only England's fourth ever World Cup semi-final appearance; their only title came in 1966, when they also defeated Argentina in the quarter-finals.