The second FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final brings Argentina and England to Atlanta Stadium on Wednesday, 15 July, with a place in Sunday’s final at New York New Jersey Stadium at stake. Kick-off is scheduled for 15:00 local time (19:00 UTC), and Spain’s 2-0 win over France on Tuesday has already set one half of the final.
The fixture is a rare meeting of two heavyweight World Cup histories. Argentina are three-time champions and the reigning holders after Qatar 2022; FIFA says they are attempting to become the first side to retain the men’s title since Brazil in 1962. England’s lone title remains 1966, and their route through Norway put them one victory from a first World Cup final in 60 years.
The immediate focus is Lionel Messi. At 39, the Argentina captain is appearing at a sixth World Cup and has eight goals and two assists in this tournament. His goal against Egypt took his career World Cup total to a record-extending 21, while eight goals also leaves him level at the top of the 2026 Golden Boot race. The semi-final is his first senior World Cup meeting with England.
England arrive with their own decisive names in form. Jude Bellingham scored twice in the 2-1 quarter-final victory over Norway and moved level with Harry Kane on six tournament goals. Argentina, meanwhile, have reached their sixth World Cup semi-final after a knockout run that included Messi’s late equaliser in the 3-2 win against Egypt.
The winner advances to the final on 19 July, when the expanded 48-team, 104-match tournament concludes in New York New Jersey. The losing side will instead play France in the third-place match in Miami Gardens on Saturday, 18 July. For Atlanta, the match is both a global rivalry and the last step before either a title defence or England’s long-awaited return to the final stage.