As the World Cup 2026 draws closer, England's preparations for their semi-final against Argentina have been relatively smooth, with no new injury concerns emerging. This is a welcome development for the team, as they look to build on their impressive run so far. However, there are still some key players who will be missing from the squad, and it remains to be seen how head coach Thomas Tuchel will approach the selection process.
One of the most notable absences will be Jordan Henderson, who is still recovering from surgery on a broken arm. Henderson's injury occurred during the celebrations following England's win over Mexico in the last 16, and he has been working hard to get back to full fitness. While he is not available for the semi-final, his presence in the squad is a positive sign for the team's future prospects.
Another player who will be missing is Jarell Quansah, who was sent off in the same game against Mexico. Quansah's suspension means that he will not be able to take part in the semi-final, and this will be a significant loss for the team. However, it also presents an opportunity for other players to step up and take their place.
One of the key decisions that Tuchel will have to make is whether to stick with the same starting back four that began the quarter-final against Norway. While this team has been performing well, there is also a chance that Tuchel may want to make some changes to freshen up the squad. The fact that he has not yet fielded the same starting back four in consecutive games at the World Cup suggests that he is open to experimentation.
One player who is expected to start in Atlanta is Declan Rice, who has been working hard to recover from an illness that disrupted his preparation for the game against Norway. While his condition was initially a cause for concern, there is now optimism that he will be able to take his place in the team on Wednesday. This will be a significant boost for England, as Rice is a key player in the midfield.
Overall, England's preparations for the semi-final against Argentina have been relatively smooth, with no new injury concerns emerging. However, there are still some key players who will be missing from the squad, and it remains to be seen how Tuchel will approach the selection process. While the team has been performing well so far, there is still a long way to go, and the semi-final will be a significant test of their abilities.
