England and Argentina will renew one of international football’s fiercest rivalries when they meet in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final on Wednesday.

The Three Lions booked their place in the last four after defeating Norway 2-1 in extra time, while defending champions Argentina edged Switzerland 2-1 after extra time to continue their title defence.

It will be the sixth meeting between the two nations at the FIFA World Cup and their first since the 2002 group stage. Across more than six decades, the fixture has produced some of football’s most iconic moments, from Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” to David Beckham’s redemption in Japan.

While England hold the superior overall head-to-head record, Argentina have won more World Cup knockout ties between the two sides.

England vs Argentina FIFA World Cup head-to-head record

*The 1998 Round of 16 is officially recorded as a draw after extra time, with Argentina progressing on penalties.

England vs Argentina: Every FIFA World Cup meeting

Key England vs Argentina World Cup stats

• England have won three of their five previous World Cup meetings.
• Argentina have won one match in normal time but progressed from two of the three knockout ties.
• England have scored eight goals compared to Argentina’s five.
• Three of the five meetings have come in the knockout rounds.
• The teams have not met at the World Cup since 2002.
• The 2026 semi-final will be their first World Cup knockout meeting in 28 years.

1962: England make a winning start

The rivalry began at the 1962 FIFA World Cup in Chile, where England defeated Argentina 3-1 in the group stage.

Ron Flowers converted a penalty before Bobby Charlton and Jimmy Greaves added further goals. José Sanfilippo scored Argentina’s only goal.

It remains England’s biggest winning margin over Argentina at a World Cup.

1966: Hurst sends England through

Four years later, the sides met in the quarter-finals at Wembley.

Geoff Hurst scored the only goal as England claimed a 1-0 victory in a fiercely contested encounter remembered for the controversial dismissal of Argentina captain Antonio Rattín.

England went on to defeat Portugal in the semi-finals before lifting their first and only FIFA World Cup title by beating West Germany in the final.

1986: Maradona produces football history

No match defines this rivalry more than the 1986 World Cup quarter-final in Mexico City.

Diego Maradona scored both goals in Argentina’s 2-1 victory, creating two of the most famous moments in football history.

His opening goal, later dubbed the “Hand of God,” remains one of the game’s most controversial incidents. Just four minutes later, Maradona dribbled past almost the entire England defence to score what FIFA later named the “Goal of the Century.”

Gary Lineker pulled one back for England, but Argentina advanced before eventually defeating West Germany to win the World Cup.

Interestingly, both teams have gone on to win the tournament after beating the other in a World Cup quarter-final-England in 1966 and Argentina in 1986.

1998: Beckham red card, Argentina prevail on penalties

The rivalry produced another classic in France.

Gabriel Batistuta opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Alan Shearer levelled from 12 yards. Michael Owen then scored one of England’s greatest World Cup goals with a brilliant solo run, only for Javier Zanetti to equalise before half-time.

England’s hopes suffered a major blow when David Beckham was sent off after kicking Diego Simeone.

The match finished 2-2 after extra time before Argentina won the penalty shootout 4-3 to reach the quarter-finals.

2002: Beckham’s redemption

The most recent World Cup meeting came in Japan and South Korea.

Four years after his dismissal in France, David Beckham converted a first-half penalty to hand England a 1-0 victory.

The win helped Sven-Göran Eriksson’s side qualify for the knockout rounds, while Argentina suffered a shock group-stage exit.

It remains the last World Cup meeting between the two nations.

Who has the better World Cup record?

Overall, England have enjoyed greater success across the five World Cup meetings, winning three matches and scoring more goals than Argentina.

However, knockout football tells a different story.

Argentina have eliminated England twice-in 1986 and 1998-while England’s only knockout victory came on home soil in 1966.

That balance makes the 2026 semi-final even more compelling.

England will look to extend their superior overall head-to-head record, while Argentina will aim to maintain their knockout edge and move one step closer to defending the FIFA World Cup title.