• Summary
• Kane and Bellingham have scored 12 of England’s 13 tournament goals
• Declan Rice spent most of the previous three days in bed ill, Tuchel said
• England reached a second semi-final in three World Cups after their 2018 exit

England’s reward for another display of resilience ​at the World Cup is a semi-final against old rivals Argentina, a fixture laden with history and one that offers Thomas Tuchel’s side the ‌chance to move within one game of ending a 60-year wait.

A day after overcoming Norway 2-1 in extra time to reach the last four, England found themselves preparing for a meeting with the reigning champions, adding another chapter to one of the World Cup’s most enduring rivalries.

England have reached the semi-finals for the second time in the last three tournaments, having fallen to Croatia in ​extra time at Russia 2018. Their only appearance in a World Cup final came in 1966, when they lifted the trophy on home soil.

Tuchel’s ​side have forged their run through a blend of star quality and sheer determination, twice coming from behind in the knockout ⁠phase to keep their tournament alive. The coach believes this has become a defining trait of his team.

“They just refuse to give in. They just refuse ​to accept defeat,” Tuchel said. “They overcome setbacks. They put a shift in. There is not one 1% complaint about that.”

Yet Tuchel tempered the celebrations with a warning ​that England have room for improvement.

“To overcome adversity and find ways to win is on the absolutely highest level,” he said. “We found a way, we’re in the last four, which is the most important thing. But I still think we can and have to play better football.”

England’s progress has been driven largely by the partnership of captain Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham. The ​two have each scored six of England’s 13 goals at the tournament — the first pair of teammates to net that many goals each at a World Cup. Bellingham ​heads to Atlanta in ominous form after scoring four goals in his last two matches.

“World-class performance from a world-class player in big, big moments,” Tuchel said. “Absolute top class.”

England forward Noni ‌Madueke suggested ⁠such displays have become routine for the Real Madrid man.

“It’s unbelievable what he’s doing,” Madueke said. “It’s very normal though for him.”

The squad were pushed to their limits by Norway, with players suffering cramp and illness in searing conditions.

Tuchel revealed that midfielder Declan Rice, who did not play the second half on Saturday, had spent most of the previous three days in bed ill. Madueke said results were all that mattered, however.

“Listen, if we play like this and win the next two games, I don’t ​mind. I’m not bothered,” he said.

History provides ​ample evidence of the challenge ahead. ⁠The teams have met five times previously at World Cups: England beat Argentina in 1962 and 1966 before Diego Maradona’s infamous “Hand of God” goal and brilliant solo effort inspired Argentina’s victory at Mexico 1986.

Argentina edged a last-16 tie on penalties in ​1998 — remembered for Michael Owen’s wonder goal and David Beckham’s red card — before Beckham gained revenge by scoring the ​winner in England’s 1-0 ⁠group-stage triumph in 2002 in Japan.

England’s most recent major tournament semi-final ended more happily, with Ollie Watkins’ late winner securing a 2-1 victory over the Netherlands at Euro 2024 to send England into the final. Now they face another formidable test against Lionel Scaloni’s world champions, with a place in the 2026 final at stake.

Tuchel admitted the emotional demands ⁠of tournament ​football are unlike anything he has experienced as a club manager, but said there was nowhere ​else he would rather be.

“I feel very alive in these moments,” he said. “This is where I want to be. I don’t want to be anywhere else in the world.”

England, carried by the brilliance of ​Kane and Bellingham and a growing belief they can survive anything, will hope that feeling lasts at least one game longer.

-Reuters

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The 2026 FIFA World Cup has produced a historic semi-final line-up that reflects the current balance of power in world football.

For the first time since the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking was introduced in December 1992 and began to be widely used from 1994, the world’s top four ranked national teams have all reached the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup.

The last four teams standing in the United States, Canada and Mexico are:

1. Argentina
2. Spain
3. France
4. England

The semi-final fixtures will see Spain take on France, while England face defending champions Argentina in what promises to be two blockbuster encounters.

The achievement is remarkable because the World Cup has traditionally been a tournament where rankings are often disrupted by surprise packages, giant-killers and unexpected eliminations.

Yet, in 2026, the competition has followed the script written by the FIFA Rankings, with the world’s four highest-ranked teams successfully navigating a 48-team tournament to reach the final four.

Argentina, the reigning world champions, booked their place after overcoming a stubborn Switzerland side in extra time. Lionel Messi’s men remain on course to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the World Cup trophy.

England secured their semi-final ticket with a dramatic 2-1 extra-time victory over Norway, inspired by a Jude Bellingham double. The Three Lions continue their pursuit of a first World Cup triumph since lifting the trophy on home soil in 1966.

Spain advanced after edging Belgium 2-1 in Los Angeles, maintaining their impressive campaign under a youthful and dynamic squad that has emerged as one of the tournament’s most complete teams.

France, meanwhile, eliminated Morocco 2-0 in Boston to remain firmly on course for a second World Cup title in three tournaments and a third overall.

The unprecedented semi-final line-up has delighted statisticians and football analysts alike, as it represents perhaps the clearest evidence yet of the growing influence and accuracy of the FIFA Rankings in measuring elite international teams.

With four former world champions still in contention and a combined total of 10 World Cup titles among them, the 2026 tournament is guaranteed to produce a heavyweight conclusion.

Bet9ja Fact File

• First FIFA Rankings published: December 1992
• First World Cup played under FIFA Rankings era: USA 1994
• 2026 Semi-finalists: Argentina, Spain, France, England
• Combined World Cup titles: 10
  • Argentina – 3
  • France – 2
  • England – 1
  • Spain – 1
• Historic first: Never before have the world’s top four ranked nations all reached the World Cup semi-finals in the FIFA Rankings era.
• Semi-final fixtures:
  • France vs Spain
  • England vs Argentina

As the tournament enters its decisive week, the road to the trophy has become a battle among the game’s most highly rated nations, ensuring that the 2026 FIFA World Cup will conclude with a clash of football’s modern superpowers.

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

Argentina endured a gruelling battle against a resilient Switzerland side before finally securing their place in the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, setting up a blockbuster last-four showdown with England and Lionel Messi’s first-ever World Cup meeting with the Three Lions.

The South Americans were pushed to their limits by a Swiss team that absorbed relentless pressure and looked set to drag the contest into a penalty shootout.

However, Switzerland’s stubborn resistance was finally broken in the closing moments of extra time, ending their dream run heartbreakingly.

For long periods, the Swiss frustrated Argentina’s array of attacking stars with disciplined defending and remarkable determination.

Time and again they repelled Argentine attacks, forcing the favourites to dig deep in search of a breakthrough.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni admitted his side had been made to suffer.

“We had to suffer a lot. We knew they were a physical team and that gave us a lot of trouble,” Scaloni said after the match.

The world champions were aided by the dismissal of a Swiss player during extra time, a turning point that eventually tilted the balance in their favour.

“Today we had luck on our side because one of their players was sent off. We could have played better, but it’s a big achievement to be in the semi-finals,” Scaloni added.

The final whistle produced contrasting scenes of emotion.

Swiss players sank to their knees in despair, embracing one another after seeing their hopes of reaching the last four shattered at the very end. Their courageous display earned admiration, but ultimately no reward.

At the other end of the emotional spectrum, Argentina’s players remained on the pitch long after the match had ended, celebrating with their passionate supporters.

The iconic image of the night belonged to captain Lionel Messi, who removed his shirt and twirled it above his head in front of the jubilant Argentina fans as the reality of another World Cup semi-final appearance sank in.

The victory keeps alive Argentina’s dream of retaining the World Cup crown they won in Qatar four years ago and moves Messi one step closer to adding another chapter to his extraordinary international career.

Awaiting Argentina in Wednesday’s semi-final is an England side that defeated Norway 2-1 after extra time earlier on Saturday.

The encounter will carry an added layer of intrigue, as it will mark the first time Messi has faced England in a FIFA World Cup match.

Scaloni, however, insisted his focus was on the challenge ahead rather than the identity of the opponent.

“It doesn’t matter whether it’s England or Norway,” he said before England’s victory over the Scandinavians was confirmed. “We’re going to come up against a team that plays very well and has a great coach.”

That coach is Thomas Tuchel, who has guided England to within two matches of ending their 60-year wait for a second World Cup title.

Now, with Messi’s Argentina standing in their path, football fans around the world can look forward to one of the most anticipated semi-finals of the tournament—a clash between the defending champions and a resurgent England, with a place in the World Cup final at stake.

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