Thomas Tuchel's key decisions for England-Argentina World Cup semi-final: Who starts at right-back? Is Declan Rice ready? Morgan Rogers to come in?

React to this story

Thomas Tuchel has a raft of selection decisions to make for England's huge 2026 World Cup semi-final against Argentina, with questions surrounding the make-up of his defence and who will play on the right-wing. Put on your temporary manager's hat and cast your votes here.

'Can't solely rely on Messi' - Pickford alert to Argentina's 'other strengths'

Video credit: SNTV

Wednesday in Atlanta will see one of the biggest games in English football history.

At stake, a place in a first World Cup final for England since 1966, with the small matter of the semi-final being against Argentina - and one Lionel Messi.

Thomas Tuchel's side arrived at this stage after winning their quarter-final dogfight with Norway, while Argentina did the same by also using extra time to scrape past Switzerland.

World Cup

UEFA confirms intention to boycott World Cup amid Infantino spin-off plan

30/07/2026 at 20:48

With France playing Spain the day before in the other semi-final, the 2026 World Cup is all set for a monumental final week.

Can England do what they have never done before, and reach a World Cup final on foreign soil?

Team selection will, as ever, play a huge part in the outcome, especially in the latter stages of a brutal tournament that has seen England battle past a myriad of obstacles to reach the last four.

The win over Norway was arguably their toughest assignment to date, playing 120 minutes against a doughty opponent in the searing Miami heat.

It left England - already contending with a number of form and fitness issues - with a few more quandaries to ponder.

Ahead of facing old foes Argentina, we dig into the big decisions facing coach Tuchel - and give you the chance to share your view.

Who starts in defence?

After many tournament summers where Kyle Walker was one of the first names on the England teamsheet, the right-back slot has been one of the constant uncertainties during this tournament for Tuchel's side.

Reece James began the opening two games against Croatia and Ghana, but succumbed to a hamstring strain, and it has since been filled by Jarell Quansah, Djed Spence, Ezri Konsa and even - for a small part of the DR Congo clash - Declan Rice.

With James having featured as a sub against Norway and seemingly back fit, does Tuchel plunge the Chelsea skipper straight into the furnace of a World Cup semi-final?

Quansah is still out, with his red card against Mexico in the last 16 having been deemed serious foul play, earning him a two-match ban.

Against Norway, Tuchel opted to bring John Stones back into the starting XI, and with Argentina having less speed up top than some of England's previous opponents, he may be tempted to stick with the 93-cap man in the centre of his defence alongside Marc Guehi.

That could mean Konsa once more going out to right-back, where the Aston Villa man put in a good display against the Norwegians.

There is also the consideration of Spence, who came on as a substitute in both the last 16 and quarter-final games, and impressed both times.

It is a cloudy picture, with three back-four options looking most likely - take your pick.

Is Rice ready to be risked?

One of the most disconcerting sights for England fans during the win over Norway was Rice, known as 'The Horse' for his extraordinary athleticism, looking a pale shadow of himself.

Rice's set-pieces, usually so deadly, were below-par too, and it was perhaps no surprise that Tuchel, in his Norway debrief, revealed just how unwell Rice had been prior to the game.

"We had to take Elliot [Anderson] or Declan out [and] knowing that Declan struggled after the last three days where he was most of the time in bed, I knew he cannot survive 90 minutes," Tuchel said.

"There was a possibility that it goes 120 [minutes], so I didn't want to waste another change, so the decision was to take Declan out earlier than he needed to go out, just to save us another change later down the match."

That perhaps indicated Rice could have carried on, but how much damage has it done Rice to play when not feeling right?

And are the three days between matches enough for Rice to get back up to fitness?

Tuchel would not countenance being without his midfield powerhouse, but there may be a case for Rice to be kept on the bench and brought on if needed later in the tie.

Having slotted in there already this tournament, James might have been one option for Tuchel to consider in the middle of the park, but having only just come back from his own issue, that would seem a gamble.

Equally, Tuchel could decide to mix up the shape and employ either Eberechi Eze or Morgan Rogers in midfield, but with both being more forward-thinking players, that may unbalance the side.

Over to you once more.

The right-wing spot

The right-flank in general has been an area of flux for England.

Ordinarily, Bukayo Saka would have started all of his country's games thus far, having made the spot his own over recent years.

But the Arsenal man has been working his way back to full fitness following an Achilles issue, and as such, his club team-mate Noni Madueke has regularly deputised since the World Cup began.

But with Madueke struggling against Norway and withdrawn at half-time, it seems unlikely he will be in contention to start against Argentina.

Having played 75 minutes in the quarter-final, is Saka ready to be in from the off against Messi and co?

Or could there be a case for Rogers to take the right-wing spot, after the Aston Villa man looked slick during his substitute appearance in Miami?

Harry Kane #9, John Stones #5 and Morgan Rogers #17 of England celebrate after the team's victory and progression to the Semi-Final of the FIFA World Cup 2026 after the Quarter Final match between Norway and England at Miami Stadium on July 11, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Image credit: Getty Images

It would represent something of a square peg in a round hole, with Rogers customarily operating more centrally, but it is a position he has played before, and it would mean someone in the starting XI who seems closer to their peak form and fitness.

As ever, you decide!

Who will win?

Finally - who makes it through to the 104th and final game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

Add TNT Sports as a preferred source here to enjoy more content like this.

Stream the Premier League, men’s and women’s FA Cups, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and more live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.

World Cup