Argentina take on England in the second FIFA World Cup semifinal on July 15, and the matchup reignites one of soccer’s fiercest rivalries, fueled by decades of history on and off the field. Players on both ends will be quite aware of the bitterness, but as they set foot in the Atlanta Stadium this afternoon, all they’ll play for is a place in this weekend’s final in New Jersey.
For England, it’s a chance to return to the final for the first time since lifting the trophy in 1966. For Argentina, it’s about playing their third final in four editions and inching closer to back-to-back titles. Surprisingly, this semifinal will also be the first meeting between Lionel Messi and England. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has scored against 45 countries, and he will be keen to make England the 46th.
The Three Lions have plenty of firepower of their own. Declan Rice has provided England with much-needed control in midfield, while wingers Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka have stretched defenses with their pace and dribbles. To top things off, captain Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham have been in the form of their lives up front.
The names on both team sheets point to yet another fiery World Cup semifinal tomorrow. It’s the first at a World Cup since 2002, and no soccer fan should miss this game. If you’re excited, here’s how to tune in live to Argentina vs. England semifinal using a streaming subscription, and how to watch for free with a VPN or free trial.
When Is the Argentina vs. England World Cup Semifinal?
The semifinal game between Argentina and England kicks off at 3:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, July 15,at Atlanta Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
How to Watch Argentina vs. England Live in the US
You can watch Argentina vs. England live on Fox or Telemundo. If you don’t have cable and you live in the US, you can watch with a sports streaming subscription, such as DirecTV, Fox One, Fubo, Peacock, Sling, YouTube TV, and more. If you don’t have a live TV or streaming service, you may be able to watch the game with a free trial:
How to Watch Argentina vs. England Online for Free
The Argentina vs. England semifinal match will air live for free on several streaming platforms across the globe, including:
These platforms are geo-locked to their respective countries, but you can use a virtual private network (VPN) to watch matches for free from the US or elsewhere. For the Argentina vs. England World Cup semifinal, we recommend ExpressVPN, our top pick for location spoofing. ExpressVPN has servers across the globe, making it easy to mask your actual location so you can access region-locked content. Additionally, ExpressVPN is also an official supporter of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Here’s how you can access the Argentina vs. England match with a VPN using BBC iPlayer as an example:
- Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN).
- Download the VPN app on your computer, phone, or preferred device.
- Connect to a server in the UK.
- Visit BBC iPlayer or ITV to start streaming.
Note: If you’re new to BBC, you may be asked to create an account to access iPlayer. Add a UK postal code on the sign-up page to avoid possible disruptions. I tested this earlier this week to make sure it was still working.
Usually, the top VPNs that let you connect to servers in other countries aren’t free. But if you already have a VPN subscription or qualify for a free trial, you may be able to use one to watch the FIFA World Cup semifinal between Argentina and England at no additional cost.
Argentina: Road to the Semifinal, Team News
(Credit: David Ramos/Getty Images)
Argentina’s play hasn’t always looked pretty, but their passion and game-control has brought them to yet another World Cup semifinal. The team relied heavily on Lionel Messi’s playmaking and scoring abilities in the early part of the tournament, but of late, we’ve seen significant contributions from the likes of Alexis Mac Allister, Julián Alvarez, Enzo Fernández, and Lautaro Martínez. Alvarez, especially, has been the talk of the town following that screamer from outside the box to close out Switzerland in the quarters. Here’s a look atLa Albiceleste’sjourney so far, and the expected lineup for tomorrow’s game.
- Group Games:Beat Algeria 3-0; Beat Austria 2-0; Beat Jordan 3-1
- Round of 32:Beat Cabo Verde, 3-2
- Round of 16:Beat Egypt, 3-2
- Quarterfinal:Beat Switzerland, 3-1
- Top Scorer:Lionel Messi (8 goals) | Most Assists:Lionel Messi (2)
Expected lineup:Fans and pundits have urged Scaloni to add pace by giving minutes to Giuliano Simeone, Nico Paz, and Valentín Barco. But Scaloni is expected to stick with the same lineup that’s given him greater control and produced 17 goals (tournament’s highest). That would be Martinez in goal; Molina, Romero, Martinez, and Tagliafico in defense; Paredes, De Paul, Fernández, and Mac Allister in the midfield; and Messi and Alvarez in the forward line.
England: Road to the Semifinal, Team News
(Credit: Eddie Keogh – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
England, like Argentina, have shown great spirit throughout the tournament, pulling themselves out of really some tight games. They have also been quicker and more potent in attack than Argentina. Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon keep the flanks busy, while Bellingham and Kane are quick to pounce on any chance they get in front of goal. Their chances of reaching the final heavily rely on stopping Messi, and coach Thomas Tuchel will want Declan Rice and Nico O’Reilly to give him as little space as possible. If they negate that threat, England are favorites to win the game.
- Group Game 1:Beat Croatia 4-2; Drew Ghana 0-0; Beat Panama 2-0
- Round of 32:Beat DR Congo, 2-1
- Round of 16:Beat Mexico, 3-2
- Quarterfinal:Beat Norway, 2-1
- Top Scorers:Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane (6 goals) | Most Assists:Bukayo Saka, Anthony Gordon (3)
Expected lineup:Tuchel will again be without Jarell Quansah, who is serving a two-game suspension for dangerous play against Mexico. As a result, the German coach is expected to stick with the XI that beat Norway, with Saka likely replacing Madueke. That would put Pickford in goal; Konsa, Stones, Guéhi, and O’Reilly in defense; Rice, Anderson, and Bellingham in the midfield; and Saka, Gordon, and Kane up front.
2026 FIFA World Cup Schedule
The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19 and will be co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico. This year, the tournament has expanded to 48 participating nations for a total of 104 games.
- June 11 to June 27: Group stage
- June 28 to July 2: The knockout stage begins with the first-ever Round of 32 at a FIFA World Cup. The eventual champion will have to win five consecutive knockout games, instead of the former four.
- July 3 to July 7: Round of 16
- July 9, 10, 11: Quarterfinals
- July 14-15:Semifinals
- July 18:Bronze final
- July 19: Final
We’ll be following the World Cup through this weekend, so stay tuned for more.
