England and Argentina prepare for semifinal clash
The England national football team is set to face Argentina in a highly anticipated World Cup semifinal match. This fixture will take place on Wednesday, July 15, at 3 p.m. ET at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. For viewers in the United States, the match will be broadcast on FOX, with streaming options available via fubo, Fox One, and the Fox Sports app or website. In the UK, the match will be shown live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, with a kick-off time of 8 p.m. BST.
This semifinal appearance marks England’s deepest run in the tournament since their victory in 1966. Argentina, meanwhile, is aiming to become the first team to win back-to-back World Cup titles since Brazil achieved the feat in 1958 and 1962.
Road to the semifinals
Both teams navigated challenging quarter-final encounters to reach this stage. Argentina secured their spot after needing extra time and late goals from Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez to overcome Switzerland. England also required extra time, with Jude Bellingham’s 93rd-minute goal sealing a victory against Norway.
Bellingham’s performance has placed him in the conversation for the Golden Boot, having scored six goals, which ties him with Harry Kane. He will share the pitch with Lionel Messi, who is the tournament’s joint leading scorer with eight goals. The historical record between England and Argentina in World Cup matches shows England with three wins, one draw, and one loss. In friendly matches, England holds a record of six wins, five losses, and two draws. The two nations have not met on the pitch since 2005, and this will be the first time England has faced Messi in a World Cup match.
Tournament details and other fixtures
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to run from June 11 through July 19, 2026. This edition marks the first time the tournament will be hosted across three countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. A total of 16 host cities across these three nations will stage the matches. The host cities in the United States include Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle. Toronto and Vancouver will host matches in Canada, while Guadalajara, Mexico City, and Monterrey will be the host cities in Mexico.
The 2026 tournament will feature an expanded format with 48 teams, an increase from the previous 32-team structure. This expansion means a greater number of matches, more knockout-round games, and increased participation from various countries. The tournament will comprise 104 matches in total, covering the group stage, knockout rounds, and the final.
In the other semifinal match, European champions Spain will compete against 2022 runners-up France. This game is scheduled for Tuesday, July 14, in Dallas, with a kick-off time of 8 p.m. BST, and will be broadcast on ITV in the UK. The final match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is set for Sunday, July 19, 2026, at the New York-New Jersey Stadium, which is FIFA’s designated name for MetLife Stadium.
For fans in the UK, live radio commentary for every World Cup match will be available on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds, alongside live text coverage and expert analysis on the BBC Sport website and app. Spoiler-free highlights will also be available on iPlayer and the BBC Football YouTube channel each morning. The BBC Sport website and app will also offer an interactive 3D experience for all live BBC TV matches, with replay mode available for ITV games.
Streaming options in the U.S. will vary depending on the match, language, and broadcast partner. English-language matches are expected to be available on FOX and FS1, which can be accessed through fubo for those without cable. Spanish-language coverage will be provided by Telemundo and Universo, with streaming options on DIRECTV and Peacock. Fans are advised to consult the official match schedule for specific start times in their local time zones, as kickoff times will vary by date, host city, and round.
Source: sportingnews.com
