Atlanta, July 13 -- Argentina captain Lionel Messi is set to tick off one of the few remaining firsts in his extraordinary international career when he faces England for the first time in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final in Atlanta on Wednesday (local time).

Despite representing Argentina for more than two decades and facing every other World Cup-winning nation, Messi has never played against the Three Lions. The much-anticipated meeting will finally take place with a place in the World Cup final at stake, adding another chapter to one of international football's fiercest rivalries.

"The truth is, it's special," Messi told reporters, as quoted by FIFA, after Argentina's 3-1 extra-time victory over Switzerland secured their place in th...