As England prepares to face Argentina in the World Cup 2026 semi-finals, defender Marc Guehi has stated that the pressure is firmly on the reigning champions. The highly anticipated match will take place on Wednesday in Atlanta at 20:00 BST, marking England's second semi-final appearance in three World Cups. The last time England reached the final was in 1966, when they won the tournament.

A Historic Rivalry

This encounter will be the sixth time England and Argentina have met in World Cup history, continuing one of football's most storied rivalries. The matches between the two nations have been filled with memorable moments, including Diego Maradona's controversial 'Hand of God' goal in 1986 and David Beckham's red card in 1998. Guehi emphasized the significance of the match, stating, "The pressure is on them, they are the world champions."

England's Journey to the Semi-Finals

England secured their place in the semi-finals after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Norway in extra time. The match showcased the team's resilience, but it also highlighted areas for improvement, as England manager Thomas Tuchel noted that the team "got lucky" and "made life very, very difficult for ourselves" during the quarter-final. Tuchel, who has been at the helm since January 2025, dismissed any notions of tension within the squad following Jude Bellingham's response to his post-match criticism.

As the team gears up for this crucial clash, Guehi, 26, reflected on the importance of the match, saying, "It's the game of your life. You have to do what you can for your country." Fans can catch the live action on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, with coverage starting at 19:00 BST.