Messi, Bellingham and Kane lead World Cup semifinal spotlight

England and Argentina meet in the World Cup semifinals in Atlanta on Wednesday, renewing one of international football’s best-known rivalries. Al Jazeera reported that the match will be the first between the two national teams in 21 years.

The semifinal brings together some of the tournament’s biggest names, including Lionel Messi, Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane, according to Al Jazeera. Both teams enter the match after difficult quarterfinal wins, with England beating Norway and Argentina getting past Switzerland.

England’s main threats

Al Jazeera identified Jude Bellingham as one of England’s central figures after a standout run through the knockout rounds. The Real Madrid midfielder has six goals, one assist and 574 minutes played at the 2026 World Cup.

Bellingham scored twice in England’s comeback win over Norway in Miami on Saturday, Al Jazeera reported. He also scored two goals in the round of 16 against Mexico, making him the first player since Diego Maradona in 1986 to score twice in back-to-back World Cup knockout matches, according to the outlet.

Harry Kane gives England another leading scoring option. Al Jazeera reported that Kane, who won the Golden Boot at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, has six goals, one assist and 627 minutes at this tournament.

Kane scored twice in England’s opener against Croatia and added another two goals against DR Congo in the first knockout round, according to Al Jazeera. He also converted a penalty against Mexico at the Azteca Stadium, though the outlet reported that he had a quieter match in the heat against Norway.

Anthony Gordon has also become more influential for England as the tournament has gone on, Al Jazeera reported. The Barcelona winger has no goals, three assists and 327 minutes played, and he set up Bellingham’s opening goal against Norway after earlier winning a penalty against Mexico.

Argentina’s leading options

Messi remains Argentina’s standout player at the tournament, according to Al Jazeera. The Argentina forward has eight goals, two assists and 608 minutes played as the defending champions reached the final four.

Al Jazeera reported that Messi opened the tournament with a hat trick against Algeria and later scored against Austria, Jordan, Cape Verde and Egypt. The outlet said he has not previously played against England.

Lautaro Martinez has supplied another attacking option for Argentina. Al Jazeera reported that the Inter Milan forward has two goals, one assist and 347 minutes played, and scored Argentina’s third goal in extra time in the quarterfinal win over Switzerland.

Martinez has come off the bench in Argentina’s past two matches, according to Al Jazeera, but remains a scoring threat whether he starts or enters later. Alexis Mac Allister has also been a regular presence, with one goal, one assist and 540 minutes played.

Al Jazeera reported that Mac Allister scored Argentina’s first goal against Switzerland after 10 minutes from a Messi cross. The Liverpool midfielder has started every Argentina match at this World Cup, and the outlet described his role as a link between defence and attack.

This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.