Argentina eyes 2026 World Cup semi‑final vs England, Messi's final tournament

Forty years after Diego Maradona's famous "Hand of God" win over England in 1986, Argentina and England could meet again in the semi‑final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Both teams must first win their quarter‑final matches—Argentina against Switzerland and England against Norway—to set up a clash on 15 July at the Atlantic Stadium, with a place in the final at stake.

In parallel, Argentine striker Lautaro Martínez has warned that Lionel Messi is unlikely to play at the 2030 World Cup, citing the captain’s age. Martínez suggested the 2026 tournament will probably be Messi’s last appearance, prompting a realistic but hopeful focus on the current competition.

The prospect of a new high‑profile Argentina‑England showdown carries strong emotional and historic resonance, recalling past rivalries and broader political tensions, while also highlighting the impending transition of Argentina’s star‑player era.