FIFA World Cup 2026: England Tournament Thread [R]

I remember thinking in 1990 (I was young and naive ) that a semi final was the norm.

1992 - The less said the better

For some reason FIFA didn't hold a World Cup in 1994

1996 - Amazing. Just fell short. Next time

1998 -2016. We managed to find new ways to get knocked out. Frustrating

2018 - 2024 Two finals. A semi final loss. A Quarter Final loss. That door is being knocked on loudly

I am just going to enjoy this semi final. It might not happen again soon. Who knows ?

For the first time, I think we have two players who can grab the game by the scruff of the neck and have through force of will won us matches

Somewhere in the the squad is a hero.

 

No, winning from behind in knockouts became a England staple in Euro 24. When we won three games after playing from behind. And the 3 different ways you can do that to boot, full time, extra time penalties. Before that at least since 1966, there was only Cameroon 1990 and Denmark 2021. But then again before 2018 we hardly won knock outs at all. From 1966 to 2016. You can probably count number of knock out wins using fingers on one hand. In one tournament Tuchel has won more knock outs then Sven did in three tournaments and as many as Bobby Robson did in four tournaments.

 

Tbf I don't think this is a golden generation for England, especially not in the context of two of the team's four best players (Rice and Saka) both being injured and playing on one leg.

I think it's a 50/50 game that could go either way. I agree Argentina have looked poor and underwhelming but so have we really. I think they'll raise their game on Wednesday and we should too.

 

I think it feels more for those of us who have seen it not just with the Men but the Women and youth teams having come back from behind matches a fair bit recently.

 

Oh good lord.

I have seen enough of him in MLS

 

He's the guy who was completely unable to control the Spain-Uruguay game when it got heated. Seems like a dreadful choice for the kind of game this is likely to be. Can imagine the Argentine players running rings around him.

 

Don't forget that Messi and De Paul both play in MLS......

Neither of whom have ever seem to be called for a foul

 

And he is American. Unfortunately I think the fix is on.

 

To be fair about the ref.

Probably better to have him than the chaos merchant in the other semi final

 

Yes both teams have looked fragile at times defensively I wouldn't say England need to win the world cup or it's a failure but they should beat this Argentina on paper if the mental game is not the main factor. Spain/France is a massive challenge but the opportunity to reach a final for the first time since 66 is massive here. 4 years is a long time. The players will know this and fight like hell I am sure.

 

Don't forget the yanks helped us during the Falklands war. Hopefully they can do it again

 

He’s not the right ref for seeing through con jobs and playacting but he’s also used to the MLS where sometimes he won’t call a foul until it seems like someone gets hit with a steel chair.

We will see what happens.

 

Argentina vs England 50/50
Spain vs England 55/45
France vs England 60/40

In my opinion.

 

Argentina 45/55 England
Spain 60/40 England
France 70/30 England

 

It will be interesting to see what team Tuchel puts out. Will he go with sicknote James at RB or just use him for the last 30 minutes of games so he doesn't get injured again? If he does start will he stick with Stones-Guehi or go back to Konsa-Guehi? I thought Stones and Guehi handled Haaland well but Stones did make that one howler early on which nearly cost us. I think the biggest issue was Sorloth on the right who exposed O'Reilly, I actually wouldn't mind seeing Spence at left back but that will upset the balance so I imagine O'Reilly stays in. Rice is absolutely essential and we have to hope he's available. Same with Saka who needs to start.

I imagine team will be:

Pickford
Konsa Stones Guehi O'Reilly
Anderson Rice
Saka Bellingham Gordon
Kane

Argentina have issues like us in defence. They lined up like this against Switzerland:

Martinez
Molina Romero Martinez Tagliafico
Paredes
de Paul Fernandez Mac Allister
Messi Alvarez

They appear to be playing a 4-1-3-2 formation. Argentina's biggest strength by far is their attack - Messi, Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez are all very dangerous. They've scored more goals than anyone else at the tournament, although have had by far the kindest fixtures (an easier group than us and then Cape Verde, Egypt and Switzerland compared to our fixtures of DR Congo, Mexico away where they never lose, and dark horses Norway who battered Italy in qualifying and beat Brazil before us). I don't think the rest of their team is anything special and if Rice and Saka are fit then I think we'll get the better of their midfield. Saka really should be getting the better of old man Tagliafico who is definitely a weak link. I just hope the ref stamps down on their cheating, Argentina are the biggest cheats in football and will try anything to con the ref as we saw in 1998 and 1986. Our players need to be streetwise and not fall for it (and wind up Romero a bit as he is a red card waiting to happen). That c*** Emi Martinez is the worst for it.

I believe we can get to the final if we win that psychological battle as overall I think we are a slightly better team.

 

If he refs Messi regularly then he won't be the in awe fanboy that others are. He has got a very tough job. Something controversial will happen.

 

Argentina's fullbacks are pretty slow. I think Gordon and saka can have them on toast. I also think their defence is quite short so at set pieces we will have too much for them. Saying that it'll be a close game. A 4-1 or 5-1 win for us

 

Romero is dangerous from set pieces but that's about it, he'll need to be watched from corners/free kicks. Messi is obviously world class even at 39 and Alvarez is quality but they aren't gonna bully our defence, they're not physical enough, they'll look to drop off and exploit any spaces. Not gonna be easy marking them at all but I think it'll suit our CBs (Stones/Guehi, Konsa/Guehi) as we don't have a physical backline and Argentina are unlikely to be popping balls into the box like Norway/Mexico did.

Games aren't won on paper but I don't think many of theirs get in our team. Messi and Alvarez would, don't think there's much between Martinez and Pickford to be honest. I'd take an Anderson/Rice/Bellingham midfield over Paredes/Enzo/Mac Allister myself. Think I'd choose our defenders over theirs too. Bellingham and Kane would obviously be star players for them. We just need to master the dark arts and cut off the supply to their attack, as that is what Argentina will be banking on.

Just don't let the match go to penalties.

 

If we win tomorrow will it be a bigger achievement than getting to two euro finals?

 

Am I right in thinking romero has made a few mistakes for spurs last season?

 

Good question. More matches and more varied challenges mean it is definitely a much bigger achievement than one euro final. Probably best leave that discussion until after tomorrow night.

I think he spent most of the season with a sick note written on a red card.

 

England to make late decision on Declan Rice availability but optimistic he can shake off illness to start versus Argentina. Still feeling the effects of sickness bug but condition is improving. https://t.co/2QUWVjsNHC

— Sami Mokbel (@SamiMokbel_BBC) July 13, 2026

Furious World Cup supporters have demanded FIFA ban Argentina striker Lautaro Martinez from playing in the semi-final showdown against England after he jumped into the crowd after scoring against Switzerland having already been booked - Daily Star

Argentina will channel the spirit of Diego Maradona and the "Hand of God" in their attempt to knock England out of the World Cup by turning to their "lucky" blue shirt - The Telegraph

Jude Bellingham says Diego Maradona was "ten million times" the player he is - The Sun