After more than two decades at the highest level of international football, Argentina captain Lionel Messi is preparing for a unique milestone when the reigning champions face England in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finals on Wednesday.
Remarkably, despite facing virtually every major football power during his illustrious career, Messi has never played against England at senior international level.
The highly anticipated showdown in Atlanta will therefore mark the first meeting between the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and the Three Lions.
Messi vs England: The Missing Opponent
Messi has faced fellow World Cup winners Brazil, Uruguay, Germany, Italy, Spain and France during his international career, but England has remained the notable exception.
The last time Argentina and England met was in a friendly in Geneva on November 12, 2005, which England won 3-2 after coming from behind through a Wayne Rooney strike and a Michael Owen brace.
Messi was absent from that encounter. Earlier that year, he had been sent off just 47 seconds into his senior Argentina debut against Hungary and was not part of the squad that travelled to Switzerland.
According to the Argentine Football Association (AFA), Wednesday’s semi-final is “the match fate owed Messi.”
World Cup Legacy Continues
The encounter comes as Messi continues to add to an already unmatched World Cup résumé.
Messi’s World Cup Records
· 32 World Cup appearances (all-time record)
· 15 knockout-stage appearances (all-time record)
· World Cup winner in Qatar 2022
· Appearing in his sixth World Cup
· Argentina unbeaten in their last 12 World Cup matches
Messi provided the assist for Alexis Mac Allister’s opening goal in Argentina’s 3-1 extra-time quarter-final victory over Switzerland, although it was the first World Cup match in which he failed to score since Argentina’s 2-0 group-stage win over Poland at Qatar 2022.
Road to the Semi-finals
Argentina’s path to the last four has been far from straightforward.
The defending champions required extra time to defeat Cape Verde 3-2 in the Round of 32 before producing a dramatic comeback against Egypt in the Round of 16, overturning a 2-0 deficit with only 11 minutes remaining to win 3-2.
Against Switzerland, Lionel Scaloni’s side again needed extra time before eventually prevailing 3-1.
Messi Looking Ahead
Following the victory over Switzerland, Messi acknowledged the magnitude of the challenge awaiting Argentina.
“It’s special because they’re a great team, a powerhouse, and it’s always nice to play a team like that, a match of this kind,” Messi said.
“We need to rest because we come from a lot of wear and tear, which the group obviously feels, and arrive in the best possible condition to keep doing what we’ve been doing: competing.”
Rivalry Renewed
Beyond Messi’s personal milestone, the match rekindles one of international football’s most storied rivalries.
Argentina and England have produced some of the World Cup’s most memorable contests, including the quarter-final at Mexico 1986 featuring Diego Maradona’s famous “Hand of God” goal and the “Goal of the Century,” as well as England’s penalty shootout victory at France 1998.
The latest chapter will carry added significance as Messi finally takes his place in a fixture that has shaped Argentine football history for generations.
Factfile: Lionel Messi vs England
· Age: 39
· Country: Argentina
· Senior Argentina debut: August 2005 vs Hungary
· Matches against England: 0
· First meeting: Expected in World Cup semi-final, July 15, 2026
· World Cup appearances: 32 (record)
· World Cup knockout appearances: 15 (record)
· World Cup titles: 1 (Qatar 2022)
· World Cups played: 6
· Current tournament: FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finalist
When Argentina and England meet in Atlanta, Messi will finally tick off the last major international opponent missing from one of football’s most complete careers.
