Lionel Messi has sent a message to England ahead of their upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup semifinal clash. The Argentina captain confirmed that facing the Three Lions will be a special occasion for him personally, as it will be his first-ever match against England after facing virtually every other major footballing nation.
Argentina will face England at the Atlanta Stadium on Wednesday, July 15, 40 years after their famous meeting in Mexico. The reigning world champions, Argentina, arrive at this match following their triumph at the 2022 edition in Qatar.
Messi on the Semifinal
Speaking via beIN SPORTS, Messi said: "Facing England will be special! It's my first time playing against England. I've played against just about everyone except them." The Barcelona legend described the upcoming match as a one-of-a-kind moment in his career.
Despite his remarkable international career spanning more than two decades, Messi acknowledged that England had remained the one prominent footballing nation he had never met on the pitch. He was equally complimentary about England's quality, making clear he views the contest as a genuine test of Argentina's credentials at this stage of the tournament.
Messi on England as a Footballing Nation
"They are a great team, a football powerhouse, it's always exciting to face opponents like that," Messi added. Both nations carry a weighty football history, most famously through their World Cup quarter-final encounters in 1986, when Diego Maradona scored both the notorious "Hand of God" goal and the "Goal of the Century," and again in 1998, per BBC.
The 2026 World Cup semifinal pits two of football's most storied nations against each other. This will be the first time Messi has faced England in a competitive fixture, adding extra significance to the clash.
