FIFA World Cup 2026

[Master Chief]

Yeah, they kind of adapted Wonderwall as a battle song in this World Cup since they trashed Croatia 4:2 in the beginning after this song was played (The same way the Boston Red Sox played Sweet Caroline in Fenway after they kept winning after playing that).

And yes, I agree Oasis and Gallagher brothers are super obnoxious, and they aren't even British to begin with.......They are Irish...

Wonderwall - 'the perfect football song': Why England fans (like David Beckham) and players love singing Oasis

David Beckham joined in with the latest Oasis singalong, following England's World Cup win in Miami.

www.bbc.co.uk

Oh dear. The game's well and truly gone.

There is only one true England World Cup song ever:

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[Yasser76]

Not the greatest of England performances but we are through. As Bellingham said, conditions of heat and humidity were very tough.

Omn paper, even with Messi, we should be able to take on Argentina, just worried about the mental ability to cope and the pressure. Argies always play close to the line when it comes to bending the rules. Also so much history there.

Really 50/50 I feel

 

[Ali_Baba]

Norway were slightly the better team so it was the great escape again for England. I wonder if it will be Argentina or Switzerland they face next.

Argentina it is then ( and oh dear for England! - imho ).

 

[ghazi52]

Argentina sink 10-man Swiss to set up blockbuster FIFA World Cup semi-final against England​

AFP
July 12, 2026



Argentina players celebrate after the match as Argentina qualify for the semi final stage of the World Cup. — Reuters

Julian Alvarez scored a breathtaking goal as Argentina battled past 10-man Switzerland 3-1 after extra-time on Sunday, setting up a mouthwatering World Cup semi-final against bitter rivals England.

Fans of the South American team dominated the stands in Kansas City and were celebrating as early as the 10th minute when their hero Lionel Messi set up Alexis Mac Allister’s opener.

Switzerland levelled midway through the second half through Dan Ndoye, but minutes later, disaster struck when Embolo was sent off after picking up a second yellow card for simulation.

The match went to extra-time and Switzerland snuffed out wave after wave of attacks until Alvarez curled a breathtaking strike into the top corner in the 112th minute.

Lautaro Martinez added gloss with a late third.

The hard-fought victory for Lionel Scaloni’s men at the Arrowhead Stadium means the top four teams in the FIFA rankings will contest the semi-finals of the 2026 tournament.

Argentina are now unbeaten in their past 12 World Cup matches as they attempt to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to retain their World Cup crown.

The South Americans swept through the group phase but struggled past minnows Cape Verde and needed a spectacular comeback against Egypt.

Sunday’s game was another attritional affair against a Swiss team seeking to reach the World Cup semi-finals for the first time.

Argentina took the lead with their first effort on target when Liverpool midfielder Mac Allister rose between Djibril Sow and Embolo to glance a header into the far corner.

Messi was the provider from a corner, taking his tally of assists across six World Cups to 10.

He is also joint top of the Golden Boot standings with eight goals, level with French forward Kylian Mbappe but he did not find the net on Sunday.

 

[ghazi52]

 

[ghazi52]

Argentina set up England semi-final with extra-time victory over Switzerland

Emma Smith
BBC Sport journalist

Argentina will face England in the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup after a dramatic victory over Switzerland in sweltering Kansas City.

Julian Alvarez settled a controversial match in extra time with a moment of brilliance, curling an unstoppable 25-yard effort past Swiss keeper Gregor Kobel to set up the meeting with Thomas Tuchel's side – a match that will be shown live on the BBC.

It was heartbreak for Switzerland, who had defended valiantly after being reduced to 10 men during the second half in dramatic circumstances.

Star striker Breel Embolo was dramatically given a second yellow card for diving following a video assistant referee review.

Embolo initially appeared to be fouled near the half-way line by Leandro Paredes, who was booked. However the referee was called by VAR to check under the mistaken identity rule, with the replay showing the Swiss player had clearly simulated contact.

The Paredes booking was quashed and Embolo, who had already been booked, was sent off to his distress and Swiss outrage.

Alvarez's stunning strike gives Argentina lead against 10-man Switzerland

'Cheats never prosper' - Embolo sent off after second yellow for diving
Just five minutes before Embolo was dismissed, Switzerland had deservedly equalised having been the better team for much of this game against the reigning world champions.

Argentina may have anticipated a cruise to the last four when Alexis Mac Allister flicked home Lionel Messi's corner at the near post with just 10 minutes gone.

But they failed to press their advantage and Switzerland built into the game before Nottingham Forest winger Dan Ndoye struck after 67 minutes.

Ndoye cut in from the left, played a one-two with Ricardo Rodriguez and tucked his finish through the legs of Emiliano Martinez.

But Argentina assumed dominance after the Embolo red, and after long periods of struggle were blessed by Alvarez's moment of genius.

 

[ghazi52]

'Animals', Hand of God and Beckham - Argentina and England's World Cup rivalry​

Andy Cryer
BBC Sport senior journalist

It's a footballing rivalry that goes back generations.

England v Argentina for a place in the World Cup final. Iconic. Generational. Classic. It's hard to find the words to do the occasion justice.

On Wednesday in Atlanta, Lionel Messi will be playing against England for the first time in his career as the defending world champions bid to stop Thomas Tuchel's Three Lions ending 60 years of hurt.

It's a World Cup rivalry that started back in 1962 and has featured wonder goals, controversy and red cards ever since.

But it's not just an on-field rivalry. Political tensions, especially around the Falklands War in the 1980s, dominate the relationship between the two nations. Argentina players and fans still reference the conflict in football songs.

Before one of England's biggest matches in history, BBC Sport takes a look back at the World Cup rivalry between the two sides.

It may surprise many that of the five World Cup matches played between the two sides, it is England that are on top, but it has been a while since they won one that really mattered.

With their last World Cup meeting back in 2002, many of the countries' younger generations won't even remember the rivalry, so BBC Sport revisits six decades of controversy.

 

[ghazi52]

1962: England 3-1 Argentina (Rancagua, Chile -group stage)​

A tame affair compared to what was to follow.

Goals from Ron Flowers, Bobby Charlton and Jimmy Greaves put England into an unassailable 3-0 lead, with a late consolation from Argentina.

Both sides finished the group stage with a win, defeat and a loss, but England edged through at the expense of Argentina thanks to a superior goal difference.

The Three Lions were knocked out by Brazil in the quarter-finals.

1966: England 1-0 Argentina (Wembley, England - quarter-finals)​

Was this the moment the footballing rivalry between the two sides really developed? Possibly. Probably.

1998: Argentina 2-2 England (Argentina win 4-3 on pens) (St Etienne, France - last 16)​

A match David Beckham will never forget.

The game will always be remembered for his kick out at Argentina's Diego Simeone and subsequent red card.

2002: Argentina 0-1 England (Sapporo, Japan - group stage)​

This was the match that will be remembered as redemption for Beckham.

The then England skipper scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot, after Owen was chopped down by Mauricio Pochettino - yes, that one.

Having only drawn with Sweden in their opening group game, it was a crucial win for the Three Lions.

 

[Master Chief]

What's a little bit surprising, given their success, is that Argentina is one of the shortest teams in the world cup (average height). England has a very literal size advantage for this upcoming match.

I think players like Kane, Bellingham, Burn, Stones will do well on Wednesday. I'm going with England as favourites for this reason. Set pieces, crosses into the box from the wings will do the job. No need to even run directly at the argies. Messi can be kept quiet.

What do you guys reckon?

 

[ghazi52]

Bellingham reaching heights of World Cup legends with Messi next​

Jude Bellingham was England's two-goal hero again as they beat Norway to reach the World Cup semi-final.
Phil McNulty
Chief football writer in Miami

Jude Bellingham has carried England through the altitude of Mexico City then the searing heat and humidity of Miami on what increasingly looks like a personal mission to end a 60-year wait to win the World Cup.

The World Cup can sometimes turn into one player's destiny, carrying an unstoppable momentum towards the sport's greatest prize.

Think Diego Maradona with Argentina in 1986. Think Ronaldo's redemption with Brazil in Yokohama in 2002. Think Lionel Messi finally claiming his personal Holy Grail with Argentina in Doha in 2022.

Despite the England star again coming to his nation's aid with two goals that overcame Norway in the Miami furnace, Bellingham has a long way to go to be bracketed with those iconic figures.

Indeed, there are huge barriers to cross just at this tournament with Messi and Argentina waiting in Atlanta in the semi-final after they beat Switzerland.

 

[Ali_Baba]

What's a little bit surprising, given their success, is that Argentina is one of the shortest teams in the world cup (average height). England has a very literal size advantage for this upcoming match.

I think players like Kane, Bellingham, Burn, Stones will do well on Wednesday. I'm going with England as favourites for this reason. Set pieces, crosses into the box from the wings will do the job. No need to even run directly at the argies. Messi can be kept quiet.

What do you guys reckon?

Diego Maradona was a short ass at 5ft 5in, and look at the chaos he caused. I think short, is better for football as it is a lower center of gravity meaning the footballer has better control and does not fall over or trip that much. We saw alot of that last night with the england team. Look at how much time Peter Crouch "used" to spend on his arse, due to his size.

 

[j_hungary]

Wonderwall - 'the perfect football song': Why England fans (like David Beckham) and players love singing Oasis

David Beckham joined in with the latest Oasis singalong, following England's World Cup win in Miami.

www.bbc.co.uk

Oh dear. The game's well and truly gone.

There is only one true England World Cup song ever:

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My one and only British Football song is this

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Or the Homer version

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[Hazard]

What's a little bit surprising, given their success, is that Argentina is one of the shortest teams in the world cup (average height). England has a very literal size advantage for this upcoming match.

I think players like Kane, Bellingham, Burn, Stones will do well on Wednesday. I'm going with England as favourites for this reason. Set pieces, crosses into the box from the wings will do the job. No need to even run directly at the argies. Messi can be kept quiet.

What do you guys reckon?

It is going to be one hell of a game. It won't be as easy as you're making it to be. ENGLISH are known to crumble under pressure and barely got over the line against Norway. In fact, execpt the Mexican match, England have been average at best throughout. Luck is definitely on their side, 50/50 game coming up - It could go either way really.

 

[ghazi52]

 

[Master Chief]

It is going to be one hell of a game. It won't be as easy as you're making it to be. ENGLISH are known to crumble under pressure and barely got over the line against Norway. In fact, execpt the Mexican match, England have been average at best throughout. Luck is definitely on their side, 50/50 game coming up - It could go either way really.

So true. England are mentally weak and very girly. Could easily collapse because of "pressure from the fans and media". I can't see them coming back if Arg take the lead.