England face reigning champions Argentina in the World Cup 2026 semi-final on Wednesday, with the two rivals meeting for the first time in over 20 years at Atlanta Stadium. The match is expected to be a fiery encounter, given the long and contentious history between the two nations both on and off the pitch.
Argentina's backroom team: a core of legends
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has retained the core of the backroom team that led the team to victory in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Scaloni hopes their experience can help overcome Thomas Tuchel's England side and secure a place in the final.
Pablo Aimar: assistant coach
Aimar, considered one of the most talented players to ever wear the Argentina shirt, transitioned into a backroom role after retiring in 2015. He has assisted Scaloni since 2018, helping Argentina win two Copa America titles and the 2022 World Cup.
Walter Samuel: assistant coach
The former Inter Milan and Argentina centre-back is known for his no-nonsense playing style but is surprisingly famed for his personable man-management approach. Samuel is considered an accessible and amiable presence in the dressing room and is responsible for the team's set-pieces.
Roberto Ayala: assistant coach
Ayala holds the record for the most appearances for Argentina, with over 100 caps, and captained the side on a record 63 occasions. He played in three World Cups and now assists with tactics, defensive set-up, and in-game management alongside Aimar and Samuel.
Martin Tocalli: goalkeeping coach
Tocalli has been with Argentina since 2017 and has played a key role in Emiliano Martinez's rise to become one of the world's most respected goalkeepers.
Luis Martin: fitness coach
Martin is another integral member of Scaloni's backroom team, noted for his focus on data and GPS tracking. He famously said he rarely tracks Lionel Messi's physical data, as the 39-year-old has an innate sense of how to manage his body to avoid excessive strain.
