Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterEngland take on Argentina for a place in the World Cup final on Wednesday evening with the winners set to take on Spain in New Jersey on Sunday, 19 July.For England, it marks one of the biggest games in their recent history, perhaps even since they won the World Cup in 1966.Many England fans will still remember the last time they reached this stage of the competition, with it only coming eight years ago, but the reality is it doesnt come around all that often.How many times have England been in the World Cup semi-final?Thomas Tuchels men have battled their way to this position, and will make a small piece of history regardless of the outcome.When England kick-off against Argentina in Atlanta on Wednesday evening, it will be just the fourth time ever they will have ever played in a World Cup semi-final. You may like How many finals have England been in? When is the next England football match? Three Lions vs Argentina in the World Cup 2026 semi-final promises to be a huge occasion How to watch England vs Argentina for FREE Englands first ever appearance in a World Cup semi-final was in 1966, the year they lifted the Jules Rimet trophy in front of a packed out Wembley crowd.In the semi-final they beat Portugal, who had Eusebio, ranked at no.16 in FourFourTwo's list of the greatest players of all time, in their ranks. However, Bobby Charltons brace was enough to see England through that day.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.English football fans would have to wait 24 years before seeing another appearance from the nation in the semi-finals. It came in Turin, Italy, against West Germany.England were knocked out on penalties with Stuart Pearce and Chris Waddle missing the decisive spotkicks to send West Germany through to play Argentina in the final.They had to wait even longer for their next semi-final, which came in 2018. Much was made of Englands fabled 'Golden Generation', but they constantly came up short at the World Cup, only managing to reach the quarter-finals in 2002 and 2006.In 2018, where Kieran Trippier scored an unbelievable free-kick against Croatia to have Gareth Southgate and Co. 1-0 up inside five minutes in Moscow. They went on to lose the game 2-1 with Mario Mandzukic scoring a 109th minute winner.Just once have the Three Lions advanced to the final in three attempts, with Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and the rest of the class of 26 hopeful they can avoid the same fate as years gone by against Argentina.TOPICSChristopher WaddleChris WaddleGary LinekerStuart PearceKieran TrippierEnglandWest GermanyCoventry CityCroatiaWorld CupWorld Cup 2026World Cup 2018World Cup 1990World Cup 1966Ewan GenneryFreelance writerEwan is a freelance writer and social media manager who has worked for The Athletic, GOAL, 90min and OneFootball. From Gelsenkirchen to Riyadh, he has covered some of the biggest games in football in his three years in the industry.
