Morgan Rogers, Reece James and Djed Spence start for England in their colossal World Cup semi-final against Argentina in Atlanta tonight.
Aston Villa midfielder Rogers, 23, has started just once so far the tournament, in the final group game against Panama, but impressed off the bench against Norway in the quarter-finals.
He now starts on England’s right, taking the place of Noni Madueke, which means Bukayo Saka once again starts on the bench.
Thomas Tuchel has an almost fully fit squad of players to pick from, with Declan Rice fully recovered and able to start in midfield next to Elliot Anderson after illness.
But the England manager has sprung a couple of surprises at full-back, with James and Spence replacing Ezri Konsa and Nico O’Reilly respectively.
James returned from his injury absence in the quarter-final against Norway, with Spence impressing at left back as a second-half substitute.
Argentina make one change, with Giuliano Simeone starts ahead of Rodrigo De Paul. Forward Simeone is the son of Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone, who was kicked by David Beckham in England and Argentina’s World Cup clash in 1998.
Julian Alvarez, back in scoring form for the Albiceleste, starts alongside Lionel Messi and ahead of Lautaro Martinez, who is on the bench.
It will be the first time Messi takes on England, thanks to an “anti-football” red card to miss a 2005 friendly, with Tuchel admitting that he could use man marking to combat the No 10.
"I was thinking about [how to deal with Messi],” Tuchel said in his pre-match press conference. “If we do an old school man mark, not sure if we follow through with this idea, but it crossed my mind. Everyone knows the space he wants to show up. Everyone knows he sees stuff before everyone else.”
The winner will face Spain after Luis de la Fuente’s side eased past France in a comprehensive 2-0 victory in Dallas.
England confirmed starting line-up: Pickford; James, Stones, Guehi, Spence; Rice, Anderson; Rogers, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane
Subs: Trafford, D Henderson, O’Reilly, Konsa, Saka, Rashford, Chalobah, Burn, Mainoo, Watkins, Madueke, Eze, Toney.
Ready for Argentina! 👊 pic.twitter.com/5fSh9K1tir
— England (@England) July 15, 2026
Argentina confirmed starting line-up: E. Martinez, Molina, Romero, L. Martinez, Tagliafico, Paredes, Simeone, Fernandez, Mac Allister, Messi, Alvarez
Subs: Musso, Rulli, Senesi, Montiel, Barco, Lo Celso, Palacios, Gonzalez, Almada, De Paul, Paz, Otamendi, Lopez, Lautaro Martinez, Medina.
