England vs. Argentina projected lineups, starting 11 for World Cup semifinal game in Atlanta

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England and Argentina write the latest chapter in their rich shared World Cup history when they meet in Wednesday's eagerly awaited semifinal.

Lionel Scaloni's reigning world champions are looking to become the first nation since Brazil in 1958 and 1962 to win back-to-back titles.

England are aiming to win a first major title since the 1966 World Cup and now know they need to set up a rematch of the Euro 2024 final, after Spain dispatched France in Tuesday's semifinal.

The Three Lions won the previous World Cup encounter 1-0 in the 2002 group stage, four years on from a gripping Round of 16 meeting that Argentina won on penalties after a 2-2 draw and a David Beckham red card. It's 40 years since Diego Maradona dumped England out in Mexico '86, thanks to his Hand of God and the Goal of the Century.

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England projected starting 11

(4-2-3-1, right to left): 1. J. Pickford (GK) — 2. E. Konsa,  5. J. Stones, 6. M. Guehi, 3. N. O'Reilly — 8. E. Anderson. 4. D. Rice — 7. B. Saka, 10. J. Bellingham, 18. A. Gordon — 9. H. Kane

  • Injured: J. Henderson (broken wrist), D. Rice (illness/nerve pain, doubt)
  • Suspended: J. Quansah (2nd game of red-card suspension)

England's main concern centres on Declan Rice. The Arsenal midfielder has suffered with fitness and illness issues throughout the tournament but trained with his teammates in the build-up to the semifinals.

Right-back has been a problem for Thomas Tuchel, but Ezri Konsa is expected to remain on the right-hand side of defence after moving there from centre-back for the 2-1 quarterfinal win over Norway.

Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham have scored all but one of England's goals in North America are are level on six apiece in the Golden Boot race.

MORE: Updated World Cup Golden Boot standings

Argentina projected starting 11

(4-1-3-2, right to left): 23. E. Martinez (GK) — 26. N. Molina, 13. C. Romero, 6. Li. Martinez, 3. N. Tagliafico — 5. L. Paredes — 7. R. De Paul, 20. A. Mac Allister, 24. E. Fernandez — 10. L. Messi, 9. J. Alvarez

  • Injured: None
  • Suspended: None

Cristian Romero and Leandro Paredes were each substituted during extra time of Argentina's quarterfinal win over Switzerland but are each expected to be ready to start.

If Lionel Scaloni elects to tweak an unchanged XI, Paredes could make way for either Nicolas Gonzalez or Thiago Almada in a switch to a 4-3-3.

Lionel Messi is on eight goals for the competition as he prepares to play against England for the first time.

England vs. Argentina predictions, betting odds

Both teams have world-class players capable of winning games on their own. Each side is also flawed and vulnerable, as they have shown throughout the knockout rounds. It's probably why neither will beat Spain in the final, but buckle up for a thriller.

  • Score prediction: England 3-2 Argentina (a.e.t)

England vs. Argentina World Cup rosters

Here are the names on England and Argentina's World Cup rosters. All caps and stats are correct as of the date of their announcement in May 2026.

England World Cup roster

Head coach: Thomas Tuchel

PositionNo.PlayerClubAgeCaps
GK13Dean HendersonCrystal Palace (Premier League, England)294
GK1Jordan PickfordEverton (Premier League, England)3282
GK23James TraffordManchester City (Premier League, England)231
DEF15Dan BurnNewcastle (Premier League, England)346
DEF12Trevoh ChalobahChelsea (Premier League, England)261
DEF6Marc GuehiManchester City (Premier League, England)2527
DEF24Reece JamesChelsea (Premier League, England)2622
DEF2Ezri KonsaAston Villa (Premier League, England)2818
DEF3Nico O'ReillyManchester City (Premier League, England)213
DEF26Jarell QuansahBayer Leverkusen (Bundesliga, Germany)231
DEF25Djed SpenceTottenham Hotspur (Premier League, England)244
DEF5John StonesManchester City (Premier League, England)3187
MID8Elliot AndersonNottingham Forest (Premier League, England)237
MID10Jude BellinghamReal Madrid (La Liga, Spain)2246
MID21Eberechi EzeArsenal (Premier League, England)2716
MID14Jordan HendersonBrentford (Premier League, England)3589
MID16Kobbie MainooManchester United (Premier League, England)2112
MID4Declan RiceArsenal (Premier League, England)2772
MID17Morgan RogersAston Villa (Premier League, England)2313
FWD18Anthony GordonNewcastle United (Premier League, England)2517
FWD9Harry KaneBayern Munich (Bundesliga, Germany)32112
FWD20Noni MaduekeArsenal (Premier League, England)2410
FWD11Marcus RashfordManchester United (Premier League, England)2870
FWD7Bukayo SakaArsenal (Premier League, England)2448
FWD22Ivan ToneyAl Ahli (Pro League, Saudi Arabia)307
FWD19Ollie WatkinsAston Villa (Premier League, England)3020

Argentina World Cup squad

Head coach: Lionel Scaloni

PosNo.NameClubAgeCaps
GK23Emiliano MartinezAston Villa (Premier League, England)3359
GK1Juan MussoAtletico Madrid (La Liga, Spain)323
GK12Geronimo RulliMarseille (Ligue 1, France)347
DEF6Lisandro MartinezManchester United (Premier League, England)2826
DEF25Facundo MedinaLens (Ligue 1, France)277
DEF26Nahuel MolinaAtletico Madrid (La Liga, Spain)2858
DEF4Gonzalo MontielRiver Plate (Primera Liga, Argentina)2938
DEF19Nicolas OtamendiBenfica (Primeira Liga, Portugal)38130
DEF13Cristian RomeroTottenham Hotspur (Premier League, England)2849
DEF2Marcos SenesiTottenham (Premier League, England)293
DEF3Nicolas TagliaficoLyon (Ligue 1, France)3375
MID8Valentin BarcoStrasbourg (Ligue 1, France)212
MID7Rodrigo De PaulInter Miami (MLS, United States)3285
MID24Enzo FernandezChelsea (Premier League, England)2540
MID11Giovani Lo CelsoReal Betis (La Liga, Spain)3065
MID20Alexis Mac AllisterLiverpool (Premier League, England)2744
MID14Exequiel PalaciosBayer Leverkusen (Bundesliga, Germany)2738
MID5Leandro ParedesBoca Juniors (Primera Liga, Argentina)3177
MID18Nico PazComo (Serie A, Italy)218
FWD16Thiago AlmadaAtletico Madrid (La Liga, Spain)2514
FWD9Julian AlvarezAtletico Madrid (La Liga, Spain)2651
FWD15Nicolas GonzalezJuventus (Serie A, Italy)2850
FWD21Jose LopezPalmeiras (Brasileirao, Brazil)253
FWD22Lautaro MartinezInter Milan (Serie A, Italy)2875
FWD10Lionel MessiInter Miami (MLS, United States)38198
FWD17Giuliano SimeoneAtletico Madrid (La Liga, Spain)2311

Where to watch England vs. Argentina

  • TV channel: FOX
  • Live stream: fubo, Fox One, Fox Sports app/website

England vs. Argentina will be broadcast on FOX in the United States with streaming options available on its dedicated platforms.

The best place to catch the match is on streaming service fubo, which streams ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)

Here is how to watch the match in some of the other major territories:

RegionTVStreaming
CanadaTSN1, TSN3, TSN4, TSN5, RDSTSN+, RDS app
UKBBC OneBBC iPlayer
AustraliaSBSSBS On Demand
IndiaUnite8 Sports 1ZEE5
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