As of 12:00 on 13/7, ticket prices for the World Cup semifinal between France and Spain stood at 1,325 USD, according to the ticket tracking service TicketData. This figure represents a 26% decrease over the past three days and is less than half the cost of the other semifinal featuring Argentina and England.

World Cup 2022 champions Argentina continue to be a magnet for attention ahead of their semifinal clash with England in Atlanta on 15/7. Ticket prices for this match are currently 2,841 USD, marking a 34% increase in three days. Prices had previously surged to 2,966 USD on 11/7 before dropping to 2,537 USD the next morning.

Tickets for the Argentina - England encounter are nearly double the price of the third-place match, scheduled for 18/7 in Miami, which is priced at 1,543 USD.

An image promoting the England vs. Argentina match on FIFA's website. Photo: FIFA

An image promoting the England vs. Argentina match on FIFA's website. Photo: FIFA

Sports commentator Henry Bushnell suggests the higher ticket prices for the Argentina - England match, compared to France - Spain, stem from its unique significance. This is more than just a World Cup semifinal; it represents a rare encounter between two nations with a long-standing rivalry and rich football traditions. It also offers a singular opportunity to witness Lionel Messi, widely considered the greatest player in football history, compete against the country credited with inventing the sport.

Spain and France are both considered top teams today. Their deep runs in tournaments are a familiar scenario, likely to recur. Together, they have reached 11 major tournament semifinals this century, with each team securing at least one World Cup and one European Championship during that period. They also meet frequently, including in the 2021 UEFA Nations League final and the Euro 2024 semifinal.

Consequently, a clash between Spain and France does not evoke the feeling of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Conversely, England has not reached a World Cup final since their sole victory in 1966, though they have been Euro runners-up twice. Argentina lifted the World Cup trophy in Qatar nearly four years ago, but any opportunity to watch Messi perform on football's grandest stage remains incredibly precious.

Messi turned 39 during this tournament. As the competition enters the knockout stages, every World Cup match he participates in could potentially be his last. Messi commands a global fanbase, from Buenos Aires to Bangladesh to Boise, Idaho, with many supporters willing to spend their entire savings to see him play. Messi's name alone has driven ticket prices sky-high for all of Argentina's matches in 2026.

Another compelling factor in the Argentina - England encounter is their shared history. In the 1966 World Cup quarterfinal, England defeated Argentina 1-0 in a match Argentinians famously dubbed "the robbery of the century," claiming England's decisive goal was offside, a sentiment not shared by the English.

Geopolitically, the two nations' militaries clashed over the Falkland Islands, also known as the Malvinas Islands, in 1982. This archipelago in the South Atlantic, located approximately 480 km off Argentina's east coast, remains a point of national pride for many Argentinians.

To this day, numerous signs and murals proclaiming "The Malvinas Islands are Argentinian" can be found across the South American nation, despite the United Kingdom's victory in the fierce 10-week conflict.

This conflict ignited further tensions during the 1986 World Cup, when Diego Maradona famously led Argentina to defeat England in the quarterfinal with his "Hand of God" goal, followed by the "Goal of the Century."

The quarterfinal match between Argentina and England in Mexico City took place four years after the Falkland War. Maradona scored with his hand, and the goal was allowed. Argentina won 2-1. Photo: AFP

The quarterfinal match between Argentina and England in Mexico City took place four years after the Falkland War. Maradona scored with his hand, and the goal was allowed. Argentina won 2-1. Photo: AFP

Taunting the English has been a recurring theme in many Argentine national team chants ever since. In the popular football anthem "Muchachos," Argentinian fans sing about "the lads from Malvinas, whom I will never forget."

Immediately after the final whistle of Argentina's quarterfinal against Switzerland on 11/7, which confirmed the Argentina - England pairing, Argentinian fans collectively chanted their favorite song: "Whoever doesn't jump is English" – a classic chant that encourages everyone to jump up and down while playfully mocking those who don't join in by calling them "English."

A short while later, at the exits of Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Argentinian supporters sang in Spanish: "England, England, you look so bitter. We are getting closer and closer to meeting again."

In essence, the match on 15/7 is a decades-awaited event. It will either propel Messi to his third and potentially final World Cup final, or send the England national team to that stage for the first time in 60 years.

This profound significance explains why ticket prices for the match continue to soar, and why fans are pooling every last penny to be there.

"I would be incredibly grateful for any help," one Argentinian fan wrote in a supporters' WhatsApp group. "I want to make my dream of watching the match against England a reality."

Hong Hanh (According to Al Jazeera, The Athletic)