Argentina: Argentina will face England in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final on Wednesday in Atlanta, marking the first-ever meeting between Lionel Messi and England in his international career. Despite playing against every other World Cup-winning nation, Messi has never previously faced England.
Why has Messi never played against England?
The closest Messi came to facing England was during a friendly in 2005, but he missed the match after being sent off on his international debut against Hungary. Argentina lost that encounter 3-2, making Wednesday’s semi-final the first meeting between Messi and the Three Lions.
What did Messi say ahead of the clash?
Messi described England as a football powerhouse and said it is always special to face a team of such quality. He stressed the importance of recovery after Argentina’s demanding knockout campaign, saying the squad aims to continue competing at the highest level.
How has Argentina reached the semi-finals?
Argentina advanced after defeating Switzerland 3-1 in extra time in the quarter-finals. Earlier, they overcame Cape Verde 3-2 after extra time in the Round of 32 and staged a dramatic comeback to beat Egypt 3-2 in the Round of 16 after trailing by two goals.
What role has Messi played in Argentina’s campaign?
Messi provided an assist against Switzerland but failed to score for the first time in a World Cup match since Argentina’s group-stage victory over Poland at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He remains the team’s key playmaker heading into the semi-final.
Why is this fixture significant beyond football?
The semi-final adds another chapter to the historic Argentina-England rivalry, one of international football’s most intense contests, shaped by decades of memorable matches and political history. The encounter also gives Messi the opportunity to complete his record of facing every World Cup-winning nation.