Atlanta prepares for England and Argentina World C...

By Rohan Gupta — 13 July 2026 — 3 min read

England and Argentina are set to meet in a World Cup semi-final in Atlanta on Wednesday, marking a significant encounter between the two nations. This match will be the first time Lionel Messi faces England in his career, despite making over 200 appearances for Argentina.

Argentina secured their spot in the semi-finals by defeating Switzerland 3-1 in extra time. Messi, who leads the Golden Boot race alongside Kylian Mbappe with eight goals, did not score in that victory. England advanced after a 2-1 extra-time win against Norway in Miami, a match where Jude Bellingham scored the winning goal.

Anticipation for the Semi-Final

The semi-final, scheduled for 20:00 BST in Atlanta, is expected to be an emotionally charged event. It will be the first competitive match between England and Argentina since the 2002 World Cup. David Beckham, who was present at England’s quarter-final match in Miami, scored the winning penalty in that 2002 encounter.

Messi, at 39 years old, is participating in what is likely his final World Cup. Despite his extensive international career, he has never played against England. South American football expert Tim Vickery noted that this semi-final is one Argentina wanted, as fans view England as their biggest rival.

Micah Richards, a pundit, highlighted Messi’s unique talent, stating, “England can outrun Argentina but they just have that little genius Messi. They all play for him. Everyone should be excited.” He also noted Messi’s exceptional spatial awareness and technique.

Former England striker Wayne Rooney commented on Messi’s defensive contributions, or lack thereof, but emphasized his ability to influence games with moments of quality. “He can be a weakness defensively for Argentina,” Rooney said. “He doesn’t run back, but he has big moments a bit like with Jude Bellingham.”

England’s manager, Thomas Tuchel, criticized his team’s performance after their win against Norway, calling them “lucky.” This drew a response from Bellingham, who suggested Tuchel might not understand the challenges of playing against top players like Erling Haaland in such conditions.

Tuchel, who extended his contract until 2028, expressed his enjoyment of the intense tournament, stating, “I’m enjoying it a lot. I feel very alive in these moments.” He acknowledged the high demands and emotional rollercoaster of knockout matches every few days.

Historical Rivalry and Fan Presence

The rivalry between England and Argentina is well-documented in international football. Notable past encounters include Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ goal in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final and Beckham’s red card in 1998. This upcoming match will be the sixth time the two nations have met in a World Cup, but their first at the semi-final stage.

In the lead-up to the semi-final, authorities in Georgia are preparing for a significant influx of fans. Reports indicated minor scuffles between English and Argentinian supporters in Miami after England’s victory over Norway. Thousands of fans from both countries are expected to travel to Atlanta for the match.

Messi’s scoring record against various national teams shows a strong scoring history. He has scored against Bolivia, Venezuela, and Ecuador multiple times. He has also netted goals against South American teams like Uruguay and Brazil, as well as European opponents such as Croatia, Switzerland, and France, including a double in the 2022 World Cup final.