Argentina captain Lionel Messi missed the team’s final training session ahead of the highly anticipated 2026 World Cup semifinal against England. According to the Argentine network TyC Sports, the star forward did not participate in the group practice held following the quarterfinal match against Switzerland, a grueling contest that lasted 120 minutes before Argentina secured their victory.
Despite the absence sparking initial concern, reports confirmed that Messi’s rest was not injury-related. Instead, it was a strategic decision made by head coach Lionel Scaloni and his technical staff. The coaching team granted Messi and several other key players additional time to recover and regain their physical readiness. This move is part of a broader effort to manage player fatigue as the team navigates the intense schedule of the tournament’s knockout stages.
A Historic First: Messi Faces England
For the 39-year-old Messi, the upcoming match at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta represents a unique milestone in his storied career. Despite his extensive experience, Messi has never faced the England national team. He described the encounter as an exceptional opportunity, noting that England is a major footballing nation and that he values the chance to compete against a high-caliber opponent in a semifinal setting.
The history between the two nations adds significant weight to the fixture, often drawing comparisons to the famous 1986 World Cup quarterfinal where Diego Maradona scored his legendary “Hand of God” goal and a subsequent solo effort that remains one of the greatest in the sport’s history. Messi, who has long been compared to his predecessor, now seeks to leave a similar mark on England’s history as he aims to lead Argentina to their third final in his career.
Tournament Stakes and Personal Milestones
Argentina enters the semifinal with the goal of becoming the first team to retain the World Cup title since Brazil in 1962. For Messi, this represents a chance to reach his third final in the last four tournaments. His performance in the 2026 edition has been exceptional; in six matches, he has scored eight goals and provided two assists. This record makes him the leading goalscorer of the current tournament, tied with France’s Kylian Mbappé.
Following the quarterfinal victory over Switzerland, Messi reflected on the significance of the achievement, stating that reaching the semifinals should not be taken for granted and that the team must truly enjoy the moment because they do not know if such an opportunity will arise again. The English squad is equally aware of the magnitude of the match. Defender Nico O’Reilly, who may face Messi directly, described the upcoming game as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and expressed his enthusiasm for challenging a player he considers the greatest to have ever touched a ball.
Match Officials and Context
FIFA has confirmed the officiating team for the match, which is scheduled to take place at 10:00 PM Cairo time. The match will be led by American referee Ismail Elfath, assisted by Cory Parker and Kyle Atkins. The fourth official will be Maurizio Mariani of Italy.
Elfath, who was born in Casablanca, Morocco, and later became a U.S. citizen, has maintained a positive record with the Argentine captain. According to reports, Messi has not lost any of the four matches officiated by Elfath since moving to the United States in 2023. Additionally, Elfath served as the fourth official during the 2022 World Cup final, where Argentina secured their third world title.
Tournament Path to the Semifinals
| Team | Quarterfinal Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Argentina | Switzerland | Won 3-1 |
| England | Norway | Won 2-1 |
England enters the match with aspirations of reaching their first World Cup final since 1966. As both sides prepare for the showdown in Atlanta, the focus remains on whether Messi can continue his historic run and if Argentina can maintain their momentum toward another world title.
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