​ATLANTA — The 2026 World Cup semifinal between England and Argentina promises to deliver an instant classic for fans around the globe. On Wednesday, July 15, the two teams will meet at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, with Harry Kane and England aiming to advance past Lionel Messi and Argentina in the second semifinal of the tournament.
England advanced through the group stage without a loss, and late goals from Kane helped secure a 32nd-minute knockout victory over DR Congo in the round of 32. Kane and Jude Bellingham then propelled England past Mexico in the Round of 16, before England defeated Norway in a controversial quarterfinal in Miami on July 11. The Three Lions now hope to extend their winning run and capture their first World Cup title in six decades.
Argentina also cruised through the group stage, but their path to the semifinals was far from straightforward. A round-of-32 showdown with Cape Verde nearly tipped the balance, and Argentina required a late spark to survive Egypt in the Round of 16, as the Pharaohs put pressure on the South American side. In the quarterfinal against Switzerland, Argentina again had to rely on late-stage brilliance to pull away and secure a semifinal berth. Now Lionel Messi and his teammates are focused on conquering England and moving one step closer to ending a long World Cup title drought dating back to 1986, though England holds fond memories of times when they stood in Argentina’s way on football’s biggest stage.
Wednesday’s clash at the Atlanta venue will not be England’s first World Cup meeting with Argentina. Head-to-head history currently favors England with three wins in five meetings, including a 1-0 quarterfinal victory in 1966—the year England celebrated its first World Cup triumph on home soil. Argentina, meanwhile, counters with two tournament wins in their history against England: a 1986 quarterfinal success and a dramatic 2-2 draw that Argentina prevailed on penalties in 1998. Those past clashes add extra spice to a semifinal that could shape the course of the competition.
As a reminder of the tournament’s schedule, the game will kick off at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, July 15, with Fox and Telemundo carrying the broadcast. The match will take place at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, serving as the penultimate hurdle before the final.
For context, France and Spain later faced off in another semifinal at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, July 14, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, with England vs. Argentina following on Wednesday. The 2026 World Cup has offered a blend of dramatic upsets, stunning comebacks, and memorable individual performances, and the upcoming semifinal is poised to deliver another chapter in this ongoing football saga. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY, and this piece provides a comprehensive look at when England vs. Argentina is scheduled, including time, broadcast partners, and location, to help fans catch every moment of a match that could define the tournament’s legacy.