Former England captain John Terry has backed the Three Lions to defeat defending champions Argentina and win the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
According to a report by Metro published on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, Terry made the prediction after England booked their place in the semi-finals with a dramatic extra-time victory over Norway.
Jude Bellingham scored twice in extra time to send Thomas Tuchel’s side through after a tough quarter-final, setting up a semi-final clash with Argentina in Atlanta. The winner will face either France or Spain in the final.
Speaking on Sports Uncensored with Piers Morgan, Terry acknowledged that England were below their best against Norway, attributing the performance to fatigue following their demanding win over Mexico. He, however, praised the team’s ability to grind out results.
Terry singled out Bellingham for his decisive performances, comparing the midfielder’s knack for arriving in the box and scoring crucial goals to former Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard. He also credited Harry Kane for helping carry England through the tournament but said other players must now step up as the competition reaches its decisive stage.
The former Chelsea defender identified Lionel Messi as Argentina’s biggest threat, noting that the forward has scored eight goals and provided two assists during the tournament. While admitting Messi would be difficult to stop, Terry warned that England must also contend with Argentina’s overall quality, including goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and the team’s attacking depth.
Despite Argentina’s strengths, Terry said England have the stronger squad on paper and expressed confidence they can reach the final. He also backed Tuchel’s expected team selection, saying he anticipates Declan Rice to return after recovering from illness and expects Reece James to start after making his comeback from injury against Norway.
