LIVE COVERAGEUpdated 14 minutes ago
World Cup 2026 live updates: Argentina vs. England for shot at final
The winner of Wednesday’s match will play Spain on Sunday in New Jersey
Argentina fans take over Atlanta ahead of World Cup semifinal clash
00:52
<a href="https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=nbcnews.com” rel=”nofollow noopener” target=”_blank”>Add NBC News to Google
Updated July 15, 2026, 11:45 AM EDT
By NBC News
What to know for Wednesday’s World Cup semifinal
- Argentina takes on England at 3 p.m. ET today in the second semifinal of the World Cup.
- The match is on Telemundo and streamed on Peacock.
- Spain defeated France 2-0 yesterday in the first semifinal.
- The World Cup final is Sunday at 3 p.m. ET.
14m ago / 11:45 AM EDT
Argentina-England reignites geopolitical tensions
After Argentina’s quarterfinal victory against Switzerland to set up a semifinal showdown against England, a journalist asked Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni about his message to his team considering its “rivalry” with England
“The message is this is a football game,” Scaloni said. “That’s what I can say. This is a football game and we will be playing against a very tough opponent. They have an excellent coach, and this is a football game, and that’s all.”
But that’s not all to those who see this match as a proxy fight between two nations with a testy relationship
After Argentina’s Antonio Rattin was sent off against England during the 1966 World Cup — a moment that later led to the creation of the yellow and red card system — England’s manager insulated Argentina’s team as “animals.” (Argentina wore black armbands memorializing Rattin on Saturday, following his death.) Twenty years later, Diego Maradona scored the controversial “Hand of God” goal to lead Argentina past England in a 1986 World Cup quarterfinal
But the tension goes well beyond soccer. In 1982, Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands off its coast, where a British presence has remained since the 19th century. The skirmish lasted 10 weeks and led to hundreds of deaths before Argentina surrendered its fight to claim the islands, which are called the Malvinas in Argentina
The British still maintain a presence on the islands, where about 3,000 people live and statues remembering British prime minister Margaret Thatcher and another dedicated to “those who liberated us” in 1982 stand in the town of Stanley. But Argentina still disputes that presence. Just last week, the Argentinian foreign minister wrote a story in an Argentine newspaper, La Nacion,saying that “by history, by law and by conviction, the Falkland Islands are Argentine.”
The foreign minister added that “time does not transform an illegitimate occupation into sovereignty. Nor will it divide the territorial unity.”
39m ago / 11:20 AM EDT
England’s star and coach clashed over Norway win
England coach Thomas Tuchel’s assessment that his side was “lucky” to beat Norway during a “sloppy” quarterfinal victory did not sit well with star player Jude Bellingham
Tuchel’s comments came after the match to ITV Sport. Bellingham, asked minutes later about his coach’s thoughts, started with “yeah, well, whatever.”
Later after the match, Bellingham told reporters that “maybe (Tuchel) doesn’t know what it’s like to play in these types of conditions … that’s not an easy team to play against
“We’ve tried to create a positive environment, and we should continue that into the final four. I can’t speak highly enough of the lads. You’re not going to win every game popping the ball and making a thousand passes. Sometimes, you have to win dirty.”
After speaking with ITV, Tuchel said during his post-match press conference that his comments stemmed from his high demands for his team
“The head of mine is not fully satisfied and not 100% happy with the way we played, and I stand by it,” Tuchel said. “I think we can play faster, more clinical. We had too many unforced errors and technical mistakes.”
39m ago / 11:20 AM EDT
Can England end Messi’s title defense?
Joe Prince-Wright, Andy Edwards and Nick Mendola previews England vs. Argentina semifinal, breaking down the biggest tactical battles, and how Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane match up against Lionel Messi and Argentina
