England face Argentina in the World Cup 2026 semi-finals tonight, with Thomas Tuchel making a big selection call by handing Morgan Rogers a start. The Three Lions meet Lionel Messi and co in Atlanta on Wednesday as they bid to reach their first World Cup final since 1966.
Team News and Injuries
All of England’s players took part in a training session at their base in Kansas City on Tuesday, except for Jordan Henderson, who is out of the tournament following surgery on a freak arm injury suffered after the last-16 win over Mexico. Tuchel took Declan Rice off at half-time in the quarter-final victory against Norway on Saturday, with assistant manager Anthony Barry confirming soon after that the Arsenal midfielder was unable to play 90 minutes due to a sickness bug that had kept him in bed for three days.
Rice - who has also been dealing with neural pain in his hamstring and lower back as well as a calf issue - looked exhausted after the game and Tuchel’s staff have been keeping a close eye on his recovery. Rice has since shaken off both the illness and fatigue and is able to start as usual against Argentina. Tuchel said on Tuesday that “everyone is fit and available”. Only Henderson and Jarell Quansah will miss the match.
Defensive Changes
Reece James came on in midfield in the second half against Norway for his first appearance since the Ghana game in Group L, following a hamstring injury. He is the only fit natural right-back in the squad and replaces Ezri Konsa in that position, with Djed Spence replacing Nico O’Reilly at left-back after another impactful cameo at the weekend. The Manchester City defender has been nursing a hamstring complaint.
Attacking Selection
Noni Madueke did not impress against Norway, with Bukayo Saka much more lively off the bench, so his position was always under serious threat. As such, Tuchel has handed Aston Villa’s Rogers a second start on the right wing. England have no disciplinary issues to contend with except for Quansah, who is serving the second match of an extended two-game ban for his red card against Mexico.
Confirmed Lineups and Match Details
England XI: Pickford; James, Stones, Guehi, Spence; Rice, Anderson; Rogers, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane. Substitutes: D.Henderson, Trafford, Konsa, O'Reilly, Chalobah, Burn, Mainoo, Eze, Saka, Rashford, Watkins, Madueke, Toney. Suspended: Quansah. Injured: J Henderson. Time and date: 8pm BST on Wednesday July 15, 2026. Venue: Atlanta Stadium. How to watch: BBC One.
