FIFA World Cup 2026 Argentina: Schedule, How to Watch, Semi Final, History & Record
One win from the final. FIFA World Cup 2026 Argentina has been a story of records and late drama: a perfect Group J campaign, three knockout thrillers, and a Lionel Messi farewell for the ages.
The defending champions face England in the semi final on Wednesday, July 15, at Atlanta Stadium, chasing a fourth title and the first back-to-back triumph since Brazil in 1962.
Lionel Scaloni has led the Albiceleste since 2018, winning the 2021 Copa America, the 2022 Finalissima, the 2022 World Cup, and the 2024 Copa America. His team entered the tournament ranked number one in the world and have won all six matches in the United States, scoring 17 goals and conceding just six.
Messi, now 39, is rewriting the record books in his sixth World Cup. He opened with a hat-trick against Algeria to equal Miroslav Klose’s all-time mark of 16 World Cup goals, broke the record against Austria, and stands alone on 21 goals plus the all-time World Cup assists record.
Seventeen players in the 26 man squad lifted the trophy in Qatar, and this group is now one step from a second straight final.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Argentina Semi Final: England vs Argentina
Argentina meet England on Wednesday, July 15, 2026 at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium), with kick-off at 3:00 PM ET, 4:00 PM in Argentina and 8:00 PM in the UK.
The winner faces France or Spain, who contest the other semi final in Dallas on July 14, in the final at New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife) on Sunday, July 19. The losers meet in the third-place match in Miami on Saturday, July 18.
England topped Group L, beat DR Congo 2-1 in the Round of 32, edged Mexico 3-2 in the Round of 16, and knocked out Norway 2-1 after extra time in their quarter-final in Miami. Like Argentina, they have made a habit of late winners.
This is the first World Cup meeting between the old rivals since 2002 and their sixth overall. The history is heavy: Diego Maradona’s Hand of God and Goal of the Century decided the 1986 quarter-final, Argentina won the 1998 Round of 16 tie on penalties, and England took the 2002 group game 1-0.
Argentina World Cup 2026 Schedule & Results
Argentina won Group J with a perfect nine points (8 goals scored, 1 conceded), then survived three straight knockout tests. All kick-off times ET.
| Date | Round | Opponent | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 16 | Group J | Algeria | Won 3-0 | Kansas City Stadium |
| June 22 | Group J | Austria | Won 2-0 | Dallas Stadium |
| June 27 | Group J | Jordan | Won 3-1 | Dallas Stadium |
| July 3 | Round of 32 | Cape Verde | Won 3-2 (AET) | Miami Stadium |
| July 7 | Round of 16 | Egypt | Won 3-2 | Atlanta Stadium |
| July 11 | Quarter-final | Switzerland | Won 3-1 (AET) | Kansas City Stadium |
| July 15 | Semi final | England | 3:00 PM ET | Atlanta Stadium |
The knockout stage has been anything but comfortable. Cape Verde forced extra time in Miami before Cristian Romero’s header settled a 3-2 classic.
Egypt led 2-0 in Atlanta until Romero, Messi, and Enzo Fernandez’s stoppage-time header completed a historic comeback. Against 10-man Switzerland, Julian Alvarez’s extra-time golazo and a late Lautaro Martinez strike sealed a 3-1 quarter-final win in Kansas City.
How to Watch the FIFA World Cup 2026 Argentina Semi Final
In Argentina, every Albiceleste match is free to air on TV Pública and Telefe, with Argentine commentary plus pre and post match shows. For the full tournament, DSports on DirecTV holds rights to all 104 games, TyC Sports carries every Argentina game, and Disney+ Premium streams a Latin America selection through ESPN.
In the United States, FOX shows the semi final in English and Telemundo in Spanish.
Canada runs coverage on CTV, TSN, and RDS, while TelevisaUnivisión and TV Azteca share matches in Mexico.
Live Streaming Options
Cord cutters can stream the free feeds on Mi Telefe and the TV Pública app. DGO carries all 104 matches and also runs through Flow and Amazon Prime Video, with TyC Sports Play and Disney+ Premium as paid extras. FIFA+ streams free in selected territories.
| Platform | Region | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Telefe | Argentina | Free | Telefe simulcast, Argentine commentary |
| TV Pública app | Argentina | Free | Every Argentina match |
| DGO (DirecTV) | Argentina | Paid | All 104 matches |
| FOX Sports App / FOX One | USA | Paid | English, every match |
| CTV GO / TSN GO | Canada | Free / Paid | All Canada coverage |
| FIFA+ | Select territories | Free | Live in chosen markets |
Radio Coverage
Radio Nacional carries every Argentina match free across the country, with Radio Mitre and other private stations offering their own commentary teams. In the United States, SiriusXM FC and ESPN Radio affiliates cover the games in English, with Univision Radio in Spanish.
Argentina World Cup History & Record
Only Brazil has played more World Cups. Argentina’s 19th tournament has pushed their all-time record to 94 matches: 53 wins, 17 draws, and 24 defeats, with 169 goals scored and 107 conceded. Three titles and three runner-up finishes mark a nation that keeps reaching the top.
Titles and Finals
Argentina won their first World Cup at home in 1978, with Mario Kempes scoring twice in the final against the Netherlands. In Mexico 1986, Diego Maradona scored the Hand of God goal and the Goal of the Century against England in the same quarter-final, then lifted the trophy after a 3-2 win over West Germany.
In Qatar 2022, Messi finally got his crown, scoring twice in the final against France and converting in the 4-2 shootout win after a 3-3 draw. Argentina have also lost three finals: 1930 (4-2 to hosts Uruguay), 1990 (1-0 to West Germany), and 2014 (1-0 to Germany after extra time in Rio).
Tournament Results
| Year | Host | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1930 | Uruguay | Runners-up |
| 1934 | Italy | Round of 16 |
| 1958 | Sweden | Group stage |
| 1962 | Chile | Group stage |
| 1966 | England | Quarter-finals |
| 1974 | West Germany | Quarter-finals |
| 1978 | Argentina | Champions |
| 1982 | Spain | Second group stage |
| 1986 | Mexico | Champions |
| 1990 | Italy | Runners-up |
| 1994 | USA | Round of 16 |
| 1998 | France | Quarter-finals |
| 2002 | South Korea/Japan | Group stage |
| 2006 | Germany | Quarter-finals |
| 2010 | South Africa | Quarter-finals |
| 2014 | Brazil | Runners-up |
| 2018 | Russia | Round of 16 |
| 2022 | Qatar | Champions |
| 2026 | USA/Canada/Mexico | Semi finals (in progress) |
Overall Stats (through the 2026 quarter-finals)
| Appearances | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | GF | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | 94 | 53 | 17 | 24 | 169 | 107 |
Key Records
Messi now owns the all-time World Cup records for both goals (21) and assists, and his eight goals in six matches put him level with Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland at the top of the 2026 Golden Boot race.
Argentina have qualified for every edition since 1974, missing only four tournaments in their history (1938, 1950, 1954, 1970). They topped CONMEBOL qualifying for 2026 with 38 points from 18 matches.
Argentina FIFA World Cup 2026 FAQs
Who does Argentina play in the World Cup 2026 semi final?
Argentina face England in the semi final on Wednesday, July 15, 2026 at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium). Kick-off is 3:00 PM ET, which is 4:00 PM in Argentina and 8:00 PM in the UK.
How can I watch Argentina vs England in the semi final?
In Argentina the match is free on TV Pública and Telefe, with streaming on Mi Telefe and the TV Pública app, plus DGO and TyC Sports as paid options. In the United States, FOX carries it in English and Telemundo in Spanish.
How did Argentina reach the 2026 World Cup semi final?
Argentina won Group J with nine points, beating Algeria 3-0, Austria 2-0, and Jordan 3-1. In the knockouts they beat Cape Verde 3-2 after extra time, came from 2-0 down to defeat Egypt 3-2, and beat Switzerland 3-1 in extra time in the quarter-final.
How many goals has Messi scored at the 2026 World Cup?
Lionel Messi has scored eight goals in six matches and sits level with Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland at the top of the Golden Boot race. He passed Miroslav Klose’s mark of 16 to become the all-time World Cup top scorer and now has a record 21 career World Cup goals, plus the all-time assists record.
When is the FIFA World Cup 2026 final?
The final is on Sunday, July 19, 2026 at New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium), kicking off at 3:00 PM ET. The winner of Argentina vs England plays the winner of France vs Spain.
How many times has Argentina won the World Cup?
Argentina have won the World Cup three times: 1978 at home, 1986 in Mexico with Maradona, and 2022 in Qatar with Messi. They have also finished runners-up three times, in 1930, 1990, and 2014.
Have Argentina and England met at a World Cup before?
Yes, this is their sixth World Cup meeting. The most famous was the 1986 quarter-final, when Maradona scored the Hand of God and the Goal of the Century. Argentina also won the 1998 last-16 tie on penalties, while England won the 2002 group game 1-0.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Argentina now comes down to one match at a time. Beat England in Atlanta on July 15, and Messi and the Albiceleste will play for a fourth star at MetLife Stadium on July 19, chasing the back-to-back crown no nation has managed since 1962.
