Argentina-England LIVE: Lionel Scaloni has confirmed the arrival of Giuliano Simeone for De Paul and the Selection has already arrived at the stadium

Argentina will face England in the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup on Wednesday, July 15, starting at 16:00 local time in Atlanta. The match, which will take place at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, marks a crucial step toward the final against Spain. Coach Lionel Scaloni has confirmed the lineup, with Giuliano Simeone replacing Rodrigo De Paul in the starting XI. The Argentine team has already arrived at the stadium, setting up for what promises to be a high-stakes encounter. The countdown to the match ended shortly before the game began. England made changes to its squad, with Morgan Rogers taking the place of Noni Madueke. The German coach Thomas Tuchel opted for this substitution, positioning Rogers as the right wing forward alongside Anthony Gordon and Harry Kane. The final lineup for England includes Jordan Pickford, Djed Spence, John Stones, Marc Guéhi, Reece James, Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Morgan Rogers, Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon, and Harry Kane. As the clock ticked down, preparations were underway both on and off the pitch. President of the Argentine Football Association, Chiqui Tapia, shared a photo featuring Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul, a recurring image associated with major victories for the national team. This tradition began during the 2021 Copa América, where Argentina ended a 28-year title drought by defeating Brazil in Maracaná. Since then, the team has claimed further successes, including the Finalissima, the 2024 Copa América, and the historic win at the 2022 Qatar World Cup. Fans started arriving at the stadium more than three hours ahead of the match. The venue opened its doors to over 70,000 spectators, allowing supporters from both nations to enter calmly and under controlled conditions. The atmosphere was electric, reflecting the significance of the upcoming clash. In a notable move, the government of Formosa declared a holiday for workers and students from 15:00 onwards, ensuring they could follow the match. This makes Formosa the first province in the country to implement such a measure for an international friendly involving the national team. Similar decisions had been taken previously during the 2026 World Cup for other matches played by Argentina. Meanwhile, British media focused attention on Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez, the Argentine goalkeeper. The Sun highlighted concerns regarding psychological tactics attributed to Martinez, suggesting that players like Harry Kane must be prepared for challenges such as intimidation during penalties, verbal provocation, delays in passing the ball, and other strategies. These reports underscore the intensity and strategic depth of the impending contest. With all teams and fans fully engaged, the stage is set for a dramatic showdown. The match is expected to draw immense interest, not just from sports enthusiasts but also from political and social spheres given the historical context and the stakes involved. As the world watches, the focus remains on the unfolding action within the stadium.