England and Argentina, two of soccer's most storied rivals, will meet in the semifinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, vying for a spot in the final.
The match is set for July 16 at 4 a.m. (Korea time) at the Atlanta Stadium in Georgia, USA.
England, known as the 'home of football,' is aiming for its first title in 60 years since winning on home soil in 1966. Defending champion Argentina, which triumphed in Qatar in 2022, seeks to become the first team to win back-to-back World Cups since Brazil in 1962.
The rivalry between the two nations extends beyond the pitch, rooted in historical conflicts. It began with the Falklands War in 1982, which deepened anti-British sentiment in Argentina after the conflict ended in a British victory.
This animosity has since spilled onto the soccer field, leaving a lasting mark on World Cup history. In the 1986 quarterfinals, Diego Maradona scored the infamous 'Hand of God' goal, followed by a stunning solo effort that led Argentina to victory. Maradona later claimed, "It was not my hand, but the hand of God," igniting outrage among English fans.
The 1998 World Cup Round of 16 further intensified the rivalry when England's David Beckham, in his first World Cup, was sent off for a retaliatory kick against Argentina's Diego Simeone. England ultimately lost in a penalty shootout, and Beckham faced severe backlash from fans and media.
Following the tournament, Beckham was publicly criticized, with some fans even burning effigies of him. However, he redeemed himself four years later in the 2002 World Cup, scoring a decisive penalty against Argentina.
This upcoming semifinal marks the first World Cup meeting between England and Argentina in 24 years.
In a twist of superstition, Argentina will wear dark blue away kits instead of their traditional sky blue and white stripes. This decision comes as they have worn their home kits in five of their six matches in the tournament, making this their first appearance in away colors.
FIFA regulations typically require teams to wear their home kits unless colors are too similar, prompting Argentina to voluntarily request the change ahead of the match.
Some interpret this as a nod to a positive omen, as Argentina has won three of their 14 encounters against England while wearing dark blue in previous World Cups.
Key players will be in the spotlight, with England relying on star striker Harry Kane and midfielder Jude Bellingham, both of whom have scored six goals and provided one assist in the tournament. They will be supported by wingers Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka, who will look to exploit Argentina's defensive vulnerabilities.
On the other side, Argentina's hopes rest on 'soccer god' Lionel Messi, who continues to showcase elite form at nearly 36 years old. He has scored eight goals and provided two assists in six matches, contributing to Argentina's success. The performances of Julián Álvarez, who scored the winning goal against Switzerland in the quarterfinals, and Lautaro Martínez, who has two goals and one assist, will also be crucial.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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