Sky News presenter Jacquie Belatro interrupted regular programming on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, to deliver a major update on the England football team ahead of their World Cup semi-final clash against Argentina. Broadcasting live from outside Atlanta Stadium, where the 8pm kick-off was scheduled, she revealed the starting lineup.
Three Changes to England's Starting XI
Belatro announced: "Three changes, perhaps a couple of surprises in there. This is how the England website announced it: Pickford, Rice, Jones, Guehi, Anderson, Kane, Bellingham, Rogers, Gordon, James, and Djed Spence." She noted that Djed Spence and Morgan Rogers, who impressed after coming on in the previous match, were included, along with Reece James, who had been nursing an injury and was deemed fit for the semi-final.
Belatro also highlighted concerns over Declan Rice, who looked exhausted and was substituted at halftime in the last match due to a sickness bug. "Clearly all is fine now as far as [he] is concerned," she observed.
Argentina's Semi-Final Dominance
Belatro warned viewers about Argentina's formidable record in World Cup semi-finals. "Remember that Argentina are really good at these matches. They have been in five World Cup semi-finals, and it's five for five. They have won all of them," she said. In contrast, England have reached the semi-finals four times but advanced to the final only once, in 1966.
England's Grit and Bookmakers' Odds
She noted that both teams have struggled at times during the tournament. "It has been a bit of a struggle at times for England this World Cup. It's been a bit of a struggle actually for Argentina at times," she said. Despite this, bookmakers have England as slight favourites, citing Argentina's difficulties in knockout matches and England's resilience in coming from behind twice in their last three games.
Belatro expressed hope for a comfortable lead: "So that's what the fans are hoping for today: more of that grit, and preferably not having to come from behind and getting a comfortable lead in the first half."
Golden Boot Race
She also touched on the Golden Boot race, noting that Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane are both on six goals, while Lionel Messi leads and Kylian Mbappe has eight. "Bellingham, of course, will want that golden boot," she speculated.
