England team news: Morgan Rogers set to start the World Cup semi-final against Argentina
England manager Thomas Tuchel has selected Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers in his starting line-up for the semi-final of World Cup 2026.
Rogers has only started one of England‘s previous matches at the World Cup and will again play in the same side as Jude Bellingham, his close friend and the player widely regarded in the build-up as the player likely to keep him out of the team.
Both will play against Argentina in the semi-final just as they did against Panama at the end of the group stage, with The Athletic reporting this afternoon that Tuchel will deploy the Villa man on the right wing outside striker Harry Kane.
Rogers will replace Noni Madueke for England against Argentina
With Anthony Gordon of Barcelona expected to start on the left, Arsenal winger Noni Madueke will drop to the bench to allow Rogers to take his place in the starting line-up.
Madueke has been Tuchel’s top choice on the right for the majority of the World Cup thanks to the fitness problems that have dogged clubmate Bukayo Saka, but his contribution, while often tactically useful, has been criticised for its lack of direct impact in the attacking third.
The semi-final against Argentina in Atlanta will be Rogers’ 21st senior cap in a whirlwind international career. The 23-year-old made his England debut less than two years ago but has won the admiration of his manager.
“Rogers is primarily deployed as a left-sided No 10, starting in the inside channel with a left-back overlapping, or in the equivalent role on the right,” writes Jacob Tanswell, who covers Villa for The Athletic.
“He can look uncomfortable when asked to hold the width, so ensuring he has a team-mate outside him when he drifts infield will be paramount for Tuchel.”
Villa teammate Ezri Konsa played out of position at right-back against Norway in Saturday’s quarter-final, removing that option for the England boss. With a right-back offering more attacking width, Rogers’ tendency to pull inside can be a boon for the Three Lions.
Kane will drop into the midfield to get on the ball and Rogers has the ability to find spaces and make runs ahead of him with more freedom to come off the touchline. Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni will need to find a way to keep him pinned where he doesn’t want to be.
Starting in the semi-final is a chance for Rogers to produce a break-out performance on the biggest stage. At 23, he’s already had a more circuitous route to the top end of the Premier League than most players who get there.
Rogers helped Villa win the Europa League in May, scoring their third goal in the final against Freiburg in Istanbul, and he is capable of taking a big game by the scruff of its neck and making it his.
Actually making that happen at Atlanta Stadium tonight will take some doing but it would catapult him to superstar status. Destiny calls.
What do you think? Is Rogers for Madueke the right call? Let us know below…
