Argentina and England set for World Cup 2026 semifinal in Atlanta

On 15 July 2026 the defending champions Argentina will face England in the FIFA World Cup semi‑final at the Mercedes‑Benz Stadium in Atlanta, USA. The match, scheduled for 16:00 local time, decides the second finalist who will meet Spain on 19 July. Ticket prices for the game start at US$ 2,000 for the most distant seats and rise to more than US$ 10,000 for hospitality packages, roughly double the cost of the previous semi‑final in Dallas.

The referee crew is led by American official Ismail Elfath, who also served as fourth‑assistant in the 2022 final. England manager Thomas Tuchel confirmed a fully fit squad apart from suspended defender Jarell Quansah and stressed that the team is focused on the match itself rather than historic rivalries. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni hinted at possible midfield tweaks but said all players are available after a demanding route that included two extra‑time wins.

Security in Atlanta has been heightened, with over 1 600 officers deployed and restrictions on flags referencing the Falklands/Malvinas conflict, bottles and other prohibited items. Both sides acknowledge the historic backdrop, but the coaches insist it is “just a football match”.