Jordan Pickford is set to win his 91st England cap in Wednesday's World Cup semi-final against Argentina at Atlanta Stadium
KANSAS CITY, KANSAS - JULY 13: Jordan Pickford #1 of England speaks to the media during an England Media Activity on July 13, 2026 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
Jordan Pickford speaks to the media ahead of England's World Cup semi-final showdown against Argentina (Image: Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
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Jordan Pickford is well used to the biggest occasions with England by now. After back-to-back European Championship finals and after becoming his country's all-time leading appearance maker at a World Cup finals, how could the Everton hero not be?
But there is a strong argument to suggest that tonight's (Wednesday) 2026 World Cup semi-final against Argentina at Atlanta Stadium tops the lot.
Pickford has been here before. He was in goal when England reached the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup, where they lost 2-1 to Croatia.
The Three Lions have experienced much since then, including their 2022 quarter-final defeat to France and the heartbreaking losses to Italy and Spain in the last two Euros finals, but a showdown with World Cup holders Argentina promises to be something else.
It will be the first time the old rivals have faced each other in a knockout round since David Beckham was sent off for kicking out at Diego Simeone at the 1998 World Cup in France.
Argentina went on to win that last-16 match on penalties but Pickford is confident England can avoid similar drama this evening.
“I think you’ve seen throughout the tournament our desire to win tackles, we’ve not got into any scuffles or anything,” said the Everton goalkeeper, who is set to win his 91st senior international cap.
“We’ve been very well respected within the game. Decisions go our way, they don’t go our way, we just reset, we go again and we let the football do the talking.
“I think that’s what we’ve done throughout the tournament. Apart from Jarell (Quansah’s red card in Mexico), we’ve not had any suspensions, no second yellow cards or anything like that.
“It just shows the mentality we have and we don’t get wrapped up in things like that. We stay focused, we stay together.”
Jordan Pickford celebrates after England's win over Mexico
Jordan Pickford celebrates after England's win over Mexico(Image: Michael Regan - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
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Quansah's challenge was late but not malicious and England managed to overcome the loss of the former Liverpool defender to beat Mexico 3-2 in their own backyard.
Jude Bellingham was the Three Lions' two-goal hero that night and he repeated the trick on Saturday with his expertly-taken brace securing a hard-fought 2-1 triumph over Norway.
The Real Madrid superstar is now level on goals scored in the tournament alongside captain Harry Kane (six each), which puts them two behind Kylian Mbappe, whose France side lost their semi-final 2-0 to superb Spain last night (Tuesday), and Argentina captain Lionel Messi, who lead the Golden Boot race with eight each.
Messi may have turned 39 last month but arguably the greatest player of all time's enduring brilliance has been on show in North America once more.
Pickford believes Messi is the greatest but insists Argentina, who won the 2022 World Cup final against France, are much more than a one-man team.
“Everyone will talk about Messi because he’s one of the GOATs (greatest of all time) of the game,” said the 32-year-old.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 07: Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina celebrates winning during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Argentina and Egypt at Atlanta Stadium on July 07, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Koji Watanabe/Getty Images)
Lionel Messi has scored eight goals and set-up two more in six World Cup games to lead Argentina to the semi-finals(Image: Koji Watanabe, Getty Images)
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“But you can’t look past the ability and the talent we’ve got in the squad - going forward, defensively, togetherness. We’ve got it all there and that’s what we need to put on show on Wednesday.
“But we also can’t just talk about Messi. They’re a good side and they’re reigning champions.
“They’re a good side but we’ve got so much ability in our squad going forward and we’re hard to break down.
“We’ve got that resilience, we’ve got that togetherness and we’ve got that mentality. That’s what makes a good team.”
Tonight's showdown will evoke memories of England's battles with Argentina in the past, including the one made famous by Beckham's red card and Diego Maradona's 'Hand of God' goal and jaw-dropping solo effort in Mexico at the 1986 World Cup.
But Pickford added: “I think it’s just solely focus on us as England now and us being at our best to beat another top nation.
“It’s us against them to get a place in the final, and it’s a game of football. 90 minutes, 120, penalties.
“We’re ready for anything, and it’s us against them and it’s about who comes out on top. We’re fully prepared for that.”