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England head coach Thomas Tuchel has opted to include Aston Villa forward Morgan Rogers in his starting eleven for the 2026 World Cup semi-final clash against Argentina.

Rogers, who has featured in only one of England’s previous matches at this tournament, will once again line up alongside his close friend Jude Bellingham — a player many expected to keep him out of the side heading into the knockout rounds.

Just as they did against Panama in the group stage, both Rogers and Bellingham will start in the semi-final against Argentina. According to reports from The Athletic, Tuchel is set to use the Villa attacker on the right wing, positioned outside striker Harry Kane.

The left flank is expected to be occupied by Barcelona’s Anthony Gordon, meaning Arsenal winger Noni Madueke will move to the bench to make space for Rogers in the starting line-up.

Madueke has been Tuchel’s preferred option on the right for most of the World Cup campaign, largely due to Bukayo Saka’s ongoing fitness concerns. However, while Madueke’s tactical discipline has been appreciated, critics have pointed out that his end product in the attacking third has often been lacking.

The upcoming semi-final in Atlanta will mark Rogers’ 21st senior international appearance — a significant milestone in what has been a meteoric rise for the 23-year-old. Having made his England debut less than two years ago, Rogers has quickly earned Tuchel’s confidence.

“Rogers is generally used as a left-sided No 10, operating in the inside lane with a left-back overlapping, or in a similar role on the right,” explained Jacob Tanswell, who covers Aston Villa for The Athletic.

He added, “He sometimes looks less comfortable when required to stay wide, so having a teammate providing width outside him will be crucial for Tuchel’s tactics.”

Villa’s Ezri Konsa filled in at right-back during England’s quarter-final victory over Norway, which limited Tuchel’s flexibility in that position. With a natural right-back able to provide greater attacking width, Rogers’ tendency to drift inside could become a valuable asset for the Three Lions.

Harry Kane is expected to drop deeper into midfield to influence play, while Rogers’ movement and ability to exploit spaces ahead of him could prove decisive. Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni will have to find a way to contain Rogers and prevent him from dictating play between the lines.

For Rogers, starting in a World Cup semi-final represents a golden opportunity to make a defining impact on the global stage. At just 23, his journey to the upper echelons of the Premier League has been anything but straightforward.

He was instrumental in Aston Villa’s Europa League triumph in May, scoring the third goal in their final against Freiburg in Istanbul — a performance that showcased his ability to seize control of big occasions.

Replicating that kind of influence tonight at Atlanta Stadium will be no easy task, but success could propel him into football’s elite ranks. It’s a moment that could shape his destiny.

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