Lionel Messi to face England for the first time in his career in World Cup semi-final in the US

Lionel Messi to face England for the first time in his World Cup career

Argentina and England will take the field for a historic match in the 2026 World Cup semi-final in Atlanta, USA. Lionel Messi will face the 'Three Lions' for the first time in his 21-year international career.

Scraper SystemJuly 12, 2026, 02:55 PM

Lionel Messi to face England for the first time in his World Cup career

The 2026 World Cup in the US will give Lionel Messi an experience he has never had in his career. Argentina's captain will wear the jersey against England for the first time in the semi-final, and this historic encounter will take place in Atlanta.

Eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi has faced many major opponents in over 200 international matches, but England has never been on that list. This match against one of Argentina's traditional rivals will fill one of the most notable gaps in the 37-year-old superstar's career.

A tough quarter-final

Argentina defeated Switzerland 3-1 after extra time to reach the semi-final. Although Messi did not score in that match, his total goals in the tournament rose to eight, keeping him tied with Kylian Mbappé as the leader in the Golden Boot race.

England's fear of Messi

BBC analyst Micah Richards emphasized that playing against Messi is a unique challenge. According to Richards, Messi's main threat is not so much his technical ability but his capacity to be in the right place at the right time and make decisions under pressure. Richards noted that this effect, which he calls the 'Messi aura', could completely disrupt England's game plan.

Tactical analysis from Rooney

Former England striker Wayne Rooney, however, sees it differently. Rooney said that Messi's defensive contribution is limited, but he can change the course of the match with a single decision or pass. England will need to strike a delicate balance between marking Messi and leaving him space.

21-year wait comes to an end

The Argentina-England rivalry has produced unforgettable moments in World Cup history, such as Maradona's 'Hand of God' goal. Messi, however, has never faced England since his first international match in 2005. That year, he was unable to play in a friendly due to a red card suspension. Now, in the 2026 semi-final, this long wait will come to an end.

Messi's record-filled career

Messi is the all-time appearances leader and top scorer for the Argentina national team. He achieved legendary status with the 2022 World Cup victory. The star, who has scored against many nations including Bolivia, Brazil, and France, will now add England to his list of opponents.

Historic path to the final in Atlanta

The match in Atlanta will be a clash of two footballing traditions. While England aims to realize its final dream, Argentina will fight to defend its championship title. For Messi, playing against England on US soil will be one of the last great unwritten chapters of his career.

Lionel Messi to face England for the first time in his World Cup career