England vs Argentina Prediction: For whom the Bellingham tolls

England take on Argentina at Atlanta Stadium (3pm local time, 8pm BST, BBC One & iPlayer) in the semi-final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions are within a hair’s breadth of the promised land, with the World Cup final awaiting on Sunday for the victors.

England expects. Lionel Messi awaits. These are my England vs Argentina predictions.

Team News

The right back slot has been England’s talking point for almost the entire World Cup. Those issues have not faded. Bayer Leverkusen centre half Jarrell Quansah deputised there against Mexico and got sent off in the process. Reece James of Chelsea had a run-out against Norway, but he played in midfield. 

James is the only available right back in the squad, but Tuchel could favour Ezri Konsa. The Aston Villa defender started there in the 2-1 victory over Norway and could keep his place. 

Arsenal central midfielder Declan Rice fought through illness for 45 minutes in that quarter-final. The 27-year-old is pivotal to Tuchel’s plans and I expect him to be risked even if he is a touch below 100%.

World Cup 2026 Odds

Jordan Henderson misses out in midfield after his bizarre, celebration-induced wrist injury suffered in the euphoria against Mexico. 

There’s history in the offing as Harry Kane looks set to earn his 121st cap. This will see the Bayern Munich boy surpass Wayne Rooney as England’s most-capped outfield player. Outright leader Peter Shilton will be in the ex-Spurs striker’s sight next. The former Nottingham Forest goalkeeper accrued 125 caps.

Argentina could name an unchanged XI from their 3-1 extra-time win over Switzerland in the quarters. Sorry, England fans, I can’t offer any solace. Messi will almost undoubtedly be playing.

England vs Argentina Odds

England are narrowly the favourites at the time of writing. The Three Lions boast a 13/8 price, with La Albiceleste not far behind at 15/8. A draw after 90 minutes is priced at 2/1.

Should that happen and we get extra-time and, god forbid, penalties, then England are 8/11 to win the tie with Argentina at evens.

If you think extra-time will settle it then England are 17/2 to win in 120 minutes while Argentina are 9/1 to do the same.

If we do get the dreaded drama of penalty kicks then Tuchel’s team and their South American opponents are both 15/2.

Price Boost: England to win and both teams to score was 4/1 now 5/1

I think we’re all expecting a nailbiter, even if we aren’t all expecting an England win. But taking that We The Believers ethos to its natural conclusion, I’m backing Tuchel’s team to get this over the line.

Four of England’s six outings at this World Cup have seen both sides score, with only Ghana and Panama kept at bay. Meanwhile, after clean sheets in their first two games, Argentina have seen BTTS land in their last four matches.

With Messi, Kane, Jude Bellingham and Julian Alvarez among the names on show, I think both teams to score is a safe bet. 

Your mileage may differ on my match result selection, but I feel like there is a well of determination in this squad that marries well with Tuchel’s game management nous. A similar, sinew-busting grind as the Mexico win is called for and I think it will be provided.

Jude Bellingham to score or assist @ 7/4

If you lived through England’s so-called Golden Generation, you saw many touted players go to a tournament in the famous white shirt and sh*t the bed. Ballyhooed Premier League allstars taking to major tournaments like a duck to wet cement. 

But Bellingham has arrived at this World Cup and lived up to everything positive that has ever been said about him. A born winner. A determined leader. Robust, skilful and lethal.

Nominally a midfielder, Bellingham has taken this tournament by storm as essentially a second striker. His six tournament goals have equalled his tally for the whole of last season at Real Madrid. 

Bellingham’s assist against Panama was his seventh in an extended 2025/26 campaign for club and country. Adding goal creation into the mix is a nice little bit of insurance when backing a player destined to make an impact somehow in this tie.