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There is one more semifinal match before we know who is playing in the 2026 World Cup final.
Reigning champion Argentina takes on longtime powerhouse England on Wednesday, July 15. This will be Lionel Messi's first time playing the Three Lions.
USA TODAY's experts analyzed the matchup on an episode of USA TODAY Sports' "Sports Seriously" soccer podcast, published on Monday, July 13.
Prior to the England vs. Argentina game, Spain beat France 2-0 to return to the final for the first time since 2010.
Even though there weren't any surprises or underdogs among the last four teams standing, former USWNT player Lori Lindsey wasn't mad.
"I'm thrilled about these matchups," she said. "I mean, really, you couldn't ask for four better teams."
USA TODAY's national soccer writer, Jon Arnold, agreed that the balanced field will make for an unpredictable rest of the tournament.
"Any four could win," he said. "I mean, they've all won before. It wouldn't be a huge shock to see any of these teams lift the trophy."
Turning toward England vs. Argentina, USA TODAY's soccer editor, Seth Vertelney, said that England "has the most pressure." He points to their back-to-back losses in the European Championship finals the past two tournaments and the fact that they haven't won the World Cup since 1966. In comparison, Argentina won the World Cup last outing and Spain won it in 2010 and also won the 2024 European Championship.
"When you look at which teams need a trophy more than others, you'd have to put England at the top of that list," he said.
Arnold pointed out that the situation over at Argentina is quite the opposite. He noted that they use a phrase that translates from Argentinian Spanish to English as "The Backpack" to describe a previous burden.
"It was all on their shoulders," he said, "and they said Messi, specifically, but the whole team was carrying a backpack. And this entire tournament, they've been like, 'Backpack's off!' ... There's just no pressure on this team."
You can watch the full episode of "Sports Seriously" above or on USA TODAY Sports' YouTube page and wherever you listen to podcasts (search: Sports Seriously).
Even though Messi hasn't played England before, the two sides have a storied history. Argentina won the 1986 World Cup quarterfinals match that became known for Diego Maradona's Hand of God play. In 1998, David Beckham got a red card and was ejected before Argentina won in a penalty shootout.
This match promises to provide another chapter in the rivalry.
Argentina has had its back on the ropes in the knockout rounds, but keeps finding a way to win.
"The way they've performed at this World Cup hasn't been very inspiring, especially in the knockout phase and yet, this is a team full of winners," Vertelney said.
The experts had split thoughts on how Jude Bellingham, England's rising star, will impact this match. The Real Madrid midfielder has six goals in this World Cup, four of which came in the knockout rounds.
"I think Leandro Paredes will be able to kind of neutralize Bellingham, which sounds insane, especially because we didn't know if Paredes would play in this World Cup because of an injury coming into the tournament," Arnold said. "But when he's played, he's been fantastic. He's been difficult to beat in the middle."
"Bellingham is actually going to be the difference," Lindsey offered, "because of some of the late runs he comes (on), because I think that is an area that has been a little bit of an issue for Argentina defensively."
Vertelney said to not forget about Harry Kane. England's captain also has six goals in the competition.
"They have two superstar players that are playing at an extremely high level," he said. "You see if one of them doesn't come through, the other one does, so I would expect that to continue."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What role will Jude Bellingham have in England vs. Argentina? Our experts debate
Continue reading...
Reigning champion Argentina takes on longtime powerhouse England on Wednesday, July 15. This will be Lionel Messi's first time playing the Three Lions.
USA TODAY's experts analyzed the matchup on an episode of USA TODAY Sports' "Sports Seriously" soccer podcast, published on Monday, July 13.
Prior to the England vs. Argentina game, Spain beat France 2-0 to return to the final for the first time since 2010.
Even though there weren't any surprises or underdogs among the last four teams standing, former USWNT player Lori Lindsey wasn't mad.
"I'm thrilled about these matchups," she said. "I mean, really, you couldn't ask for four better teams."
USA TODAY's national soccer writer, Jon Arnold, agreed that the balanced field will make for an unpredictable rest of the tournament.
"Any four could win," he said. "I mean, they've all won before. It wouldn't be a huge shock to see any of these teams lift the trophy."
Breaking down England-Argentina World Cup semifinal
Turning toward England vs. Argentina, USA TODAY's soccer editor, Seth Vertelney, said that England "has the most pressure." He points to their back-to-back losses in the European Championship finals the past two tournaments and the fact that they haven't won the World Cup since 1966. In comparison, Argentina won the World Cup last outing and Spain won it in 2010 and also won the 2024 European Championship.
"When you look at which teams need a trophy more than others, you'd have to put England at the top of that list," he said.
Arnold pointed out that the situation over at Argentina is quite the opposite. He noted that they use a phrase that translates from Argentinian Spanish to English as "The Backpack" to describe a previous burden.
"It was all on their shoulders," he said, "and they said Messi, specifically, but the whole team was carrying a backpack. And this entire tournament, they've been like, 'Backpack's off!' ... There's just no pressure on this team."
England-Argentina history
You can watch the full episode of "Sports Seriously" above or on USA TODAY Sports' YouTube page and wherever you listen to podcasts (search: Sports Seriously).
Even though Messi hasn't played England before, the two sides have a storied history. Argentina won the 1986 World Cup quarterfinals match that became known for Diego Maradona's Hand of God play. In 1998, David Beckham got a red card and was ejected before Argentina won in a penalty shootout.
This match promises to provide another chapter in the rivalry.
Argentina has had its back on the ropes in the knockout rounds, but keeps finding a way to win.
"The way they've performed at this World Cup hasn't been very inspiring, especially in the knockout phase and yet, this is a team full of winners," Vertelney said.
The experts had split thoughts on how Jude Bellingham, England's rising star, will impact this match. The Real Madrid midfielder has six goals in this World Cup, four of which came in the knockout rounds.
"I think Leandro Paredes will be able to kind of neutralize Bellingham, which sounds insane, especially because we didn't know if Paredes would play in this World Cup because of an injury coming into the tournament," Arnold said. "But when he's played, he's been fantastic. He's been difficult to beat in the middle."
"Bellingham is actually going to be the difference," Lindsey offered, "because of some of the late runs he comes (on), because I think that is an area that has been a little bit of an issue for Argentina defensively."
Vertelney said to not forget about Harry Kane. England's captain also has six goals in the competition.
"They have two superstar players that are playing at an extremely high level," he said. "You see if one of them doesn't come through, the other one does, so I would expect that to continue."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What role will Jude Bellingham have in England vs. Argentina? Our experts debate
Continue reading...
