Inter’s captain, Lautaro Martinez, along with Juventus’ Nico Gonzalez and Como’s Nico Paz, are on the bench for Argentina as they face England in the World Cup semi-final.
The match kicks off in Atlanta at 20:00 UK time (21:00 CEST).
KANSAS CITY, KANSAS – JULY 10: In a training session held at the Sporting Kansas City Training Centre on July 10, 2026, prominent Argentina players Nahuel Molina, Julian Alvarez, Christian Romero, Enzo Fernandez, Nicolas Otamendi, and Nico Gonzalez #15 took part in a training session ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter Final match.
The winner will face Spain in the Final on Sunday evening, while the losing team will compete against France for the bronze medal on Saturday.
There is an Italian presence on the sidelines with Maurizio Mariani serving as the fourth official alongside Thomas Tuchel and Lionel Scaloni.
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – JUNE 15: Referee Maurizio Mariani (C) leads the match officials for warm-ups before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H match between Saudi Arabia and Uruguay at Miami Stadium on June 15, 2026. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
Argentina have made it to this point while defending their 2022 title, needing extra time to defeat Cape Verde, overcoming a 2-0 deficit to beat Egypt 3-2 amid controversy, and again requiring extra time to defeat 10-man Switzerland.
Note: Inter’s Lautaro Martinez has scored two goals in this World Cup but finds himself benched again, with Julian Alvarez preferred this time.
While Juventus’ Nico Gonzalez was anticipated to start, he has been replaced in the lineup by Giuliano Simeone, the younger brother of Torino’s Giovanni Simeone.
Interestingly, Giuliano was born in Rome while his father Diego was playing for Lazio.
Nico Gonzalez has been on loan at Atletico Madrid this season, but a permanent transfer has yet to be confirmed despite him scoring five goals in 37 matches.
Nahuel Molina, another former player for Udinese, will be playing at right-back, while former Roma midfielder Leandro Paredes is fit to start after recovering from an injury.
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – JULY 03: During the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match, Nico Gonzalez #15 of Argentina was involved in a tackle against Diney Borges #3 of Cape Verde at Miami Stadium. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
England faced their toughest challenge yet in the quarter-finals, edging past Erling Haaland‘s Norway in extra time, thanks to a brace from Jude Bellingham.
Most of England’s goals in the tournament have come through either Bellingham or Harry Kane.
Note: Jordan Henderson is out after breaking his arm while jumping over an advertising board, while Jarrell Quansah is serving a two-match suspension.
Declan Rice has recovered from an illness, and an unexpected starter is Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa, making his second start in the World Cup.
Defensive adjustments include Reece James and Djed Spence are included as full-backs.
England vs. Argentina line-ups
England: Pickford; James, Stones, Guehi, Spence; Rice, Anderson; Rogers, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane
Argentina: Emiliano Martinez; Molina, Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Tagliafico; Simeone, Paredes, Enzo Fernandez, Mac Allister; Messi, Julian Alvarez