The biggest football match of 2026 so far is about to kick off, and it’s not just traditional sportsbooks paying attention. England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford told reporters on July 13 that his team won’t fixate solely on Lionel Messi when they face Argentina in the FIFA World Cup semi-final on July 15 in Atlanta.
The match and why it matters beyond the pitch
England advanced to the semi-finals after beating Norway 2-1 in the quarter-finals on July 11. That match was notable for another reason: Pickford became England’s all-time record holder for World Cup appearances, surpassing the legendary Peter Shilton.
This is Pickford’s third World Cup tournament, having also featured in 2018 and 2022. The team, coached by Thomas Tuchel, has been training at their base in Kansas City before traveling to Atlanta for the semi-final.
Argentina enters as the reigning World Cup champions. Pickford acknowledged their collective strength during his press conference, warning that the threat extends well beyond Messi.
