Lionel Messi Set for First-Ever Clash vs England in FIFA World Cup Semi-Final
Argentina captain Lionel Messi is set to take on England for the first time in his illustrious international career as defending champions will clash with the Three Lions in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final in Atlanta on Wednesday (US time).
Despite representing Argentina for over two decades and facing every other FIFA World Cup-winning nation, Messi has never come up against the Three Lions.
That long-awaited first meeting will finally take place for a spot in the World Cup final on the line, adding a fresh chapter to one of international football's fiercest rivalries.
The winner of the encounter will meet Spain in the final, after La Roja sealed their berth with a 2-0 triumph over France.
"The truth is, it's special," Messi told reporters, as quoted by FIFA, after Argentina's 3-1 extra-time victory over Switzerland secured their place in the last four.
Why is Lionel Messi’s first match vs England so special?
"It's a special match because it's my first time. I've played against everyone except England. And it's special, as I said before, because they're a big team, a powerhouse. It's always nice to play against teams like that, in matches like this, and especially in the semi-finals of a World Cup," he added.
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The 39-year-old has previously faced Brazil, Uruguay, Germany, Italy, Spain and France during his glittering career, but England remained the only major football power missing from his international resume.
The closest he came was during a friendly in Geneva in November 2005, when Argentina lost 3-2. Messi was unavailable for that match after being sent off on his senior international debut against Hungary earlier that year.
Argentina entered the knockout phase of FIFA WC 2026 after winning all three group matches in Group J.
Argentina's knockout-stage campaign has been equally demanding. They began with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Cabo Verde in the Round of 32 before edging past Egypt by the same scoreline in the Round of 16, once again relying on their attacking firepower to overcome a resilient opponent.
The defending champions faced another stern test in the quarter-finals, where Switzerland pushed them all the way before Argentina secured a 3-1 extra-time victory to book their place in the semi-finals.
Argentina have scored nine goals in three knockout games, the highest total among the semi-finalists.
The semi-final also revives one of football's most iconic rivalries. England and Argentina have not met in a competitive fixture since the 2002 FIFA World Cup, when England claimed a 1-0 victory.
More than two decades later, Messi now has the opportunity to script his own chapter in the storied rivalry as Argentina chase a place in the final and bid to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the FIFA World Cup title.
(With inputs from ANI)