England vs Argentina: Three Lions favoured over the reigning champions

The stage is set for the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-finals and each of the four qualified teams have won this tournament in the past. The first match sees Spain and France, the top two favourites before a ball was kicked, collide in Texas on Tuesday before England and Argentina meet in Georgia on Wednesday.

Since the Three Lions and La Albiceleste sealed their places in the semi-finals, the betting markets have begun to take shape. Below I take a look at the current landscape of the England vs Argentina odds.

World Cup Odds

Both England and Argentina have experienced dramatic journeys to get to this point, far more than the other two semi-finalists. England and Argentina have had to ride their luck at times during the knockout stage and it has often taken moments of individual brilliance to bail them out.

In this regard, it should make for a fascinating contest in Atlanta, and one it has certainly given bookmakers something to think about. There's a lot of history between these two nations both on and off the pitch, so this clash won't lack for spice.

England have long been hungover by Diego Maradona's "Hand of God" goal in Mexico '86 and they will feel this is the time to get some justice. Argentina may be the reigning champions but it's the Three Lions who have gone in as the initial favourites for Wednesday.

Thomas Tuchel's men are 13/8 (38.1% implied probability) to prevail in regulation time, while Lionel Messi and Co. are a 2/1 (33.3%) bet to progress to the final inside 90 minutes. England were initially 7/5 (41.7%) but they have drifted slightly.

At times it has looked as though Argentina are too reliant on Messi, who has eight goals at this tournament, to guide them through. Concerns were raised when they required extra-time against Cape Verde in the round of 32 before going two goals down against Egypt in the last 16.

Argentina then required an additional 30 minutes again in their quarter-final success over 10-man Switzerland on Saturday.

It's been a similar tale for England but the Three Lions have been dragged along by Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham. Kane was the hero of the hour to salvage a poor performance against DR Congo in the round of 32.

A quickfire Bellingham brace then set England away against Mexico in the Azteca before the Real Madrid man bagged another double to see England through a nervy clash against Norway in extra-time.

Kane and Bellingham have scored six goals apiece at this tournament. No player has scored more open play goals for England than Bellingham in a single World Cup campaign.

The two attackers have been the best English players in North America, playing at levels that their teammates have failed to get anywhere close to over the past four weeks.

Given that they can both be relied upon for big moments, this looks to have gained the favour of the bookies ahead of Wednesday's fixture.

For all the other markets available for this semi-final, check out the England vs Argentina Odds page on betfred.com.