Semifinal 2: England Vs Argentina Preview and Best Bets

England vs Argentina preview takes centre stage as the second World Cup semifinal decides who will face Spain in Sunday's final at MetLife Stadium. England and Argentina renew one of football's greatest rivalries in Atlanta, meeting at a World Cup for the first time since 2002. Here's everything you need before kick-off, including the latest odds, head-to-head history, and our best bets.

The Match Details: England Vs Argentina Preview

Semifinal 1 Recap: Spain Stun France

Spain beat tournament favourites France 2-0 to reach their second-ever World Cup final, a genuine surprise given France's unbeaten, unbreached run through the knockout stage. It's a result that resets the outright picture entirely, Spain now sit in New Jersey with nothing to do but wait, while England and Argentina fight it out for the right to face them.

How Both Sides Reached the Semifinal

England have matched their best-ever tally of five wins in a single World Cup, a mark previously set during their 1966 triumph. Their path here included a tough away win at Mexico's Azteca Stadium and a 2-1 extra-time win over Norway in the quarterfinal, with Jude Bellingham scoring both goals, including the winner.

Argentina's route has been considerably more dramatic. They needed extra time to see off Cape Verde in the Round of 32, came back from 2-0 down against Egypt with two goals in four minutes before Enzo Fernandez's stoppage-time winner, and then needed extra time again to beat 10-man Switzerland in the quarterfinal. Lionel Messi has been central to almost all of it, contributing to eight goals across the tournament.

Head-to-Head: A Rivalry Renewed

This is the first World Cup meeting between England and Argentina since 2002, when David Beckham's penalty settled a group-stage clash charged with history from the 1986 and 1998 tournaments. A semifinal meeting between these two carries genuine weight beyond the match itself.

England Vs Argentina Odds and Best Bets

England are slight favourites to advance (ENG -126, ARG +108), with the 90-minute moneyline priced at England +175, the draw +180, and Argentina +195, one of the closest markets of the whole tournament. Model-based predictions give England around a 53% chance of reaching the final.

• Match winner: England, narrowly. Their route to the semifinal, while tough, has been less dramatic and less draining than Argentina's three straight knockout matches decided by fine margins or extra time.
• The case for Argentina: This is now their fourth pressure-cooker knockout tie in a row, and Messi has found a way through every single time. Backing the defending champions to find another way is a reasonable counter, even against the run of form.

Check current pricing on the World Cup matches page at Sportsbet.io.

The Golden Boot Race

Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi remain tied at the top of the Golden Boot race, both on eight goals, with Mbappe closing in on Messi's own career World Cup scoring record. With Messi still alive in this semifinal and Mbappe already through to the final with France eliminated, this race could still have a twist or two left in it.

How to Bet on the World Cup Semifinal

• Match winner: Check the World Cup matches page for live pricing on England, Argentina or the draw.
• To advance: Covers extra time and penalties, useful given how many of Argentina's matches this tournament have gone the distance.
• Outright winner: With Spain already through, check the outright odds tracker for the latest movement on who joins them as favourite.

Odds move quickly this close to kick-off, so treat any figure in this article as a snapshot and check live pricing before you bet.

FAQs: England vs Argentina Preview - Semifinals

Did Spain beat France?

Yes. Spain won 2-0 in the first semifinal, a result that sent them through to their second-ever World Cup final.

When is England vs Argentina?

Wednesday 15 July 2026, kicking off at 3:00pm ET (8:00pm BST) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Who is favourite, England or Argentina?

England are slight favourites to advance, though the market is one of the tightest of the tournament.

When did England last play Argentina at a World Cup?

Not since 2002, making this the first meeting between the two nations at a World Cup in over two decades.

Who is leading the Golden Boot race?

Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi are tied on eight goals each heading into this semifinal.

Where can I bet on the World Cup semifinal?

You can check live odds and betting markets on the World Cup matches page and the World Cup 2026 hub at Sportsbet.io.

The Final Spot Is Up for Grabs

Spain are waiting in New Jersey. Now it's down to England and Argentina to decide who joins them. Check the latest odds on the World Cup matches page, browse the outright odds tracker for the wider tournament picture, and see the current promotions available at Sportsbet.io.

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