World Cup 2026: France v Spain semi-final buildup; Rice set to start for England against Argentina – live

Key events

32m ago

Atlanta police increase security for England v Argentina

1h ago

Rice to start for England

1h ago

Preamble

I really enjoyed this interview with Rodrigo Hernández.

Or Rodri, as I think most of us will know him.

I love the tightrope he walks here. Confident in his own team but complimentary of the opposition. Sure, all these elite athletes are media trained and adept at saying the right things, but I think he does a good job coming across as sincere throughout.

Credit to Sid Lowe (who really is very good).

More from Ed Aarons in Miami.

Yes, football is a team sport, and yes, Argentina have a stacked side, and yes, England, in my opinion, are the better team.

But it’s hard to ignore the diminutive elephant in the room. You know, the one with magic in his left boot who seems to operate on a different plane to everyone else.

This will be the first time Lionel Messi plays England. Woah!

Also, can I suggest a drinking game for tomorrow night? Do a shot every time the camera cuts to David Beckham, or the commentator mentions him. My sense is you’ll be blotto before half-time.

Speaking of the big fixture tomorrow, here are three players who remember the dramas of 1998 and 2002.

Rob Draper spoke with Diego Simeone, Michael Owen and Glenn Hoddle to get their thoughts on two iconic matches between England and Argentina at the World Cup.

Atlanta police increase security for England v Argentina

Atlanta police are increasing staffing and resources for Wednesday’s World Cup semi-final between England and Argentina.

The department says additional officers will be deployed around the stadium and across the city’s entertainment and high-traffic areas, with large crowds expected before and after the match:

As Atlanta prepares to host an upcoming World Cup semi-final match and welcomes increased numbers of residents and visitors, the Atlanta Police Department has enhanced its citywide public safety and security posture. Additional personnel and resources are already deployed and will continue to be strategically assigned in and around the event venues, entertainment districts, and other high-traffic areas to help ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone. These proactive measures are designed to protect the public, deter criminal activity, and ensure residents and visitors can safely enjoy this historic event.”

The precautions come amid increased attention in the rivalry between the countries. Argentina’s April 2 War Veterans Federation has urged supporters to keep politics out of the occasion, describing the semi-final as “not an armed rematch nor historical compensation”.

A fairly sensible request. It is a football match, albeit one unlikely to feel like an ordinary one.

Elliot Anderson covered a whopping 14.8km against Norway in the stifling heat of Miami.

Ed Aarons writes about the all-action midfielder from Kansas City:

Krishna Moorthy has written in.

I knew it wouldn’t be too long before he did.

“Good morning Daniel. Three Ballon d’Or winners of the last three years are involved in the semifinals. With a delectable one on one clash tonight. Both teams tonight also have in them a runners up. Clash of the titans indeed”

We’ve been promised attack versus defence before, but France v Spain really fits the bill.

According to Opta, France arrive in Dallas with the most productive attack at the World Cup. Spain bring the stingiest defence recorded at the tournament in the modern statistical era. Something, as they say in the disaster films, has to give.

Here are the numbers:

France have scored 16 goals and generated a tournament-high 14.3 xG.

Their 47 shots on target work out at 7.8 per game, the highest World Cup average on record since 1966.

Kylian Mbappé has eight goals, while Ousmane Dembélé has five. Michael Olise leads the tournament with five assists.

Spain, meanwhile, have faced just seven shots on target in six matches. Their average of 1.17 per game is the lowest recorded at a men’s World Cup.

They have conceded only 0.31 xG per match, while the average chance against them has been worth a paltry 0.05 xG.

Spain have also averaged 66% possession and 598 completed passes per game.

Is it a cliche if i use the phrase, unstoppable force meets immovable object?

In case you missed Jonathan Wilson’s encompassing yarn about the semi-finals, well, here it is:

We’ve got our first email of the morning.

It’s from Tim Read, about 1,426 miles away.

“Good morning! Whilst I understand that everybody has their eyes focused on France - Spain, I also have the privilege of being invited as a media guest to the Riga FC - Ararat Champion’s League qualifying game. Of course, I will be in the nearest bar immediately afterwards....”

Have fun mate!

More from Nick Ames in Dallas.

France are out for revenge after a Lamine Yamal wonder goal was the difference between the sides two years ago.

Rice to start for England

Beyond Kane and Bellingham, the man at the heart of England’s midfield is the most important player in the side (imo).

Good thing, then, that he’s fit and ready to start.

Let’s get things going with two pieces to wet the whistle.

First it’s Sid Lowe reporting from Dallas who hears from Lamine Yamal, a young kid who doesn’t know the meaning of the word ‘pressure’:

Nick Ames is also in Dallas and, like the rest of us, is full of praise for a French team that has the potential to go down as one of the greatest of all time:

Preamble

Daniel Gallan

It’s the deep breath before the plunge. The little leg shake before the starting gun is fired. The sense of anticipation as you notice your waiter carrying a plate of food that looks like your order.

You know what I’m saying? Of course you do! It’s the World Cup semi-finals!

For the first time in the tournament’s history the world’s top four ranked teams have made it to the penultimate round. And few can argue that France, Spain, England and Argentina deserve to be here (though I’d love to know if you think otherwise).

Tonight at 8pm BST, 2pm in Dallas, it’s the freewheeling French against the methodical Spanish.

We’ll build up to that as well as check in on how England and Argentina are getting on, look at some more Fifa shenanigans and sweep across any club transfer news that filters our way.

As always, send in your thoughts or questions. All are welcome.