England will aim to reach their first ever World Cup final on foreign soil when they face Argentina in the semis on Wednesday.
The Three Lions have not reached the final of the competition since their only triumph, way back in 1966.
Thomas Tuchel’s side have impressed so far this summer, although they are yet to face a challenge like the one that holders Argentina will likely pose in Atlanta on Wednesday.
Here, we predict the XI that Tuchel will select for the game.
Goalkeeper
Jordan Pickford has been England’s first-choice ‘keeper since 2018 and during that time has produced countless huge moments, including penalty shootout saves against Colombia in 2018 and against Switzerland at Euro 2024.
The Everton man hasn’t looked at his best this summer, but has still produced several fine saves, most notably during England’s win over Mexico in the last 16.
Defenders
Tuchel has regularly changed his backline throughout this summer’s tournament, but he could name an unchanged back four for this one. Ezri Konsa looks set to be given the nod at right-back ahead of Reece James, who has suffered with injury and was only used from the bench against Norway last time out.
In the middle, Manchester City pairing John Stones and Marc Guehi look set to start once again, having successfully kept Erling Haaland at bay against Norway. The duo will now have to fend off Lionel Messi.
Nico O’Reilly may have surprised a few people when he forced his way to becoming first-choice left-back for this summer’s tournament, but the Man City man has impressed defensively this summer and is also capable going forward.
Midfielders
Arsenal star Declan Rice has been well below par at the World Cup so far, in part due to illness and injury. The former West Ham man’s deliveries from set pieces have been particularly poor, but he is now believed to be back to full fitness and Tuchel will hope his performance improves.
Rice looks set to be partnered once again in midfield by Elliot Anderson. The Nottingham Forest man – who looks set to join City in the coming weeks – is enjoying a fine tournament and his defensive capabilities could prove crucial if England are going to prevent Messi and co. from running riot in Georgia.
Bellingham has scored six goals at the World Cup so far (Photo: Associated Press/Alamy)
Ahead of those two, Jude Bellingham will start and hope to continue his staggering run of form. The Real Madrid star has scored six goals at the World Cup so far, including braces against both Mexico and Norway. If England can reach the final – and perhaps even win it – Bellingham looks like a possible Golden Ball winner.
Forwards
Attack is another area that Tuchel has tweaked regularly between games this summer. Noni Madueke has struggled throughout the tournament, and Arsenal teammate Bukayo Saka therefore looks set to start on the right flank.
Captain Harry Kane will once again lead the line and hope to add to his tally of six goals, although the Golden Boot award may be beyond him as both Messi and Kylian Mbappe have scored eight so far.
On the left side, Anthony Gordon is in line to start ahead of Marcus Rashford. The former Newcastle United man replaced Rashford against DR Congo in the last 32 and assisted both of Kane’s goals, and since then he has looked one of England’s most dangerous players.
Predicted XI: Pickford; Konsa, Guehi, Stones, O’Reilly; Anderson, Rice, Bellingham; Saka, Kane, Gordon