Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister has changed his tune on England ahead of the semi-final after telling Jamie Redknapp they had little hope of a deep World Cup run
21:18, 14 Jul 2026
Alexis Mac Allister
Alexis Mac Allister joked England wouldn't get far in the World Cup
Alexis Mac Allister has insisted he is not surprised by England's run to the World Cup semi-finals despite previously telling Jamie Redknapp he did not believe the Three Lions had what it takes to go deep into the tournament.
Asked by the former Liverpool and England midfielder who he considered the leading contenders to win the World Cup during an interview in May, Mac Allister said: "Spain, France are really strong. But I always feel like Argentina and Brazil have a chance. Even Brazil is not in the best moment. I think with Ancelotti, good players, so they have a chance. But for us, maybe.
Redknapp then said: "But you’ve not mentioned England… come on, give us some hope!" to which the Argentina international responded with a grin: "You think you have a chance?"
Mac Allister's previous comments were put back to him on the eve of Argentina's World Cup semi-final against England, with the 27-year-old insisting he has "a lot of respect" for Thomas Tuchel's side.
Asked whether he was "surprised" by England's run given his previous comments, Mac Allister told Sky Sports: "No, I’m not surprised. "I understand why you ask that because there was an interview that Jamie (Redknapp) was doing at Liverpool.
"I understand why you ask that because there was an interview that Jamie (Redknapp) was doing at Liverpool. It was a bit of a joke because at the same time I said they were not going to be in this situation (in the business end of a World Cup) I said they have amazing players and a really good coach as well.
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"So I’m not surprised, I’m not surprised. As I said, they have very good players and they know what they are doing. We really respect them and we will try our best to win. It’s going to be a tough game because they are a really good team who we respect a lot."
While those remarks may have been made partly in jest, Mac Allister notably overlooked England when asked last October to name the leading contenders for World Cup glory, despite the Three Lions having established themselves as one of international soccer's most consistent sides, reaching the latter stages of the last two World Cups and back-to-back European Championship finals.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JUNE 22: Alexis Mac Allister of Argentina looks on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J match between Argentina and Austria at Dallas Stadium on June 22, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by MB Media/Getty Images)
Alexis Mac Allister was asked about his comments on England ahead of World Cup semi final(Image: Getty Images)
Speaking to Argentinian outlet TyC Sports, the Liverpool midfielder said: "Spain, France and Argentina are candidates. You can add Brazil to that."
Since then, England have enjoyed an impressive run to the semi-finals, defeating DR Congo, Mexico and Norway in the knockout rounds after finishing top of Group L.
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Argentina, meanwhile, edged past Cape Verde, Egypt and Switzerland to book a mouth-watering last-four showdown with its historic rivals.