Thomas Tuchel has key selection decisions to make for England’s World Cup semi-final against Argentina but also a clean bill of health.
The Three Lions face Lionel Messi and co in Atlanta on Wednesday as they bid to reach their first World Cup final since 1966.
All England players took part in the Three Lions’ training session in Kansas City on Tuesday, except for Jordan Henderson who is out of the tournament.
Tuchel took Declan Rice off at half-time in their quarter-final win over Norway, with assistant manager Anthony Barry confirmed soon after that the Arsenal midfielder was unable to play 90 minutes due to a sickness bug.
Rice looked exhausted as he walked towards the team bus at the end of the game and Tuchel’s staff will be keeping a close eye on his recovery, but he has since shaken off illness and fatigue and there is hope the influential midfielder will be back in the starting line-up against Argentina.
Reece James came on in midfield in the second half for his first appearance since the Ghana game. He is the only fit right-back in the squad but Tuchel must decide if James will play at full-back from the start or keep centre-back Ezri Konsa in that position instead.
If he opts for James, Tuchel will then pick two out of John Stones, Marc Guehi or Konsa to leave on the bench. All three impressed against Norway as England held on for victory after extra time.
On the opposite flank, Djed Spence will be pushing to replace Nico O’Reilly at left-back after another impactful substitute cameo. The Manchester City full-back has been nursing a hamstring complaint, but that is expected to have eased come game day.
Noni Madueke did not impress against Norway, and Bukayo Saka was much more lively off the bench, so his position will be under serious threat. Alternatively, Tuchel could decide to persist with Madueke and keep Saka in reserve as another successful impact sub.
Jude Bellingham, Nico O’Reilly, Guehi and Rice, all at risk of suspension for the semi-final, avoided being yellow-carded against Norway, so England have no disciplinary issues to contend with except for Jarell Quansah, who is serving the second match of a extended two-game ban for his red card against Mexico.
Henderson is unavailable for the remainder of the tournament due to his broken wrist. He has been wearing a full-arm cast but has stayed with the group.
England predicted XI vs Argentina (4-2-3-1): Pickford; James, Konsa, Guehi, O’Reilly; Anderson, Rice; Saka, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane
Suspended: Quansah
Injured: J Henderson
Time and date: 8pm BST on Wednesday July 15, 2026
Venue: Atlanta Stadium, in Atlanta, Georgia
