Dean Henderson will start in Pickford’s place. England will rely on their backup goalkeeper in their final appearance of the tournament after suffering a semifinal defeat to Argentina.

He is not the only change the manager has made, as Jude Bellingham is also not in the starting lineup. Another high-profile absentee is Harry Kane, meaning England‘s starting XI is as follows:

Dean Henderson; Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, Djed Spence, Jarrel Quansah; Declan Rice (C), Morgan Rogers, Eberechi Eze; Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, Ivan Toney.

Pickford’s outstanding World Cup

During the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Jordan Pickford once again proved to be the backbone of the Three Lions, playing all 660 minutes across England’s 7 matches. While he conceded 8 goals throughout the tournament, his statistics only tell half the story.

Pickford delivered multiple world-class performances—including a vital 5-save display against Norway in the quarter-finals and crucial stops against Argentina in the semi-finals—constantly rescuing an English side that frequently fell back under heavy pressure.

Despite England’s heartbreaking 2-1 elimination by Argentina in the semi-finals, Pickford stood out as one of the tournament’s top goalkeepers, keeping his team alive until the final seconds.

Heading into the matchup against the reigning world champions, Pickford avoided narrowing the analysis strictly to Lionel Messi during his press conference, though he recognized the challenge of facing the Argentine captain for the first time.

“Everyone will talk about Messi because he is one of the GOATs of this sport, but you cannot overlook the ability and talent we have in the squad,” Pickford noted. “We cannot limit ourselves to talking only about Messi. They are a good team and they are the current champions, but we have a lot of quality in our squad, also in attack, and we are hard to beat. We have that resilience, that cohesion, and that mentality. That is what makes a good team.”

Pickford’s admiration for Messi

Pickford also made it clear that facing Messi is one of his dreams. In this historic context, it will surely be even more special for the goalkeeper, marking a duel that goes beyond defining a finalist to carry heavy historical weight.

“It will be special to face Messi, I have been watching him since I was little,” Pickford declared during the pre-match press conference for the fixture scheduled for Wednesday, July 15, in Atlanta. The goalkeeper explained that the Argentine has been involved in a significant number of goals throughout his career, making the matchup a massive personal challenge.

This will mark the first time Pickford plays against Argentina, while Messi has also never faced England with the senior national team. It is a situation the goalkeeper views as part of the appeal of a semifinal loaded with history. “For me, it is the first time playing against Argentina,” Pickford expressed.

The weight of history is not passed down

Beyond the sporting rivalry between both countries, the English goalkeeper attempted to tone down the drama and asked for the focus to remain exclusively on soccer. Much like Lionel Scaloni, who previously highlighted that politics should be left aside, Pickford sought to lower the tension surrounding the match.

“I think it is just a soccer match and both fanbases, who are so passionate, will go there to see high-level soccer. Soccer unites fans, it unites nations. We are two proud nations,” Pickford affirmed.

The goalkeeper also referenced the historical track record between Argentina and England, with memories that span generations from Mexico 1986 to France 1998. However, he called to leave the past behind. “Now we just have to focus on ourselves, as the England national team, and give our best to beat another great national team. It is us against them to secure a spot in the final,” Pickford concluded.

Although they have different styles of play, Martinez and Pickford are both known for their flair and high-energy personalities. Martinez and Pickford share a sense of self-belief that borders on arrogance, a trait that boils the blood of opponents while filling their countrymen with pride. They are impossible to miss and always seem to have something in store for Argentina and England, respectively.

Another common trait is that both could fall into the category of goalkeepers who save their best performances for the national team. When they put on the sweater for their countries, Martinez and Pickford become different animals. Clearly, Martinez has enjoyed far more success, having won everything there is to win with Argentina. Still, Pickford has become a staple of the Three Lions and even set a FIFA World Cup record for England in the quarterfinals.

Neither goalkeeper’s stats at the 2026 World Cup jump off the page, but both have made timely saves to keep their teams alive. Contrary to the other semifinal matchup between France’s Mike Maignan and Spain’s Unai Simon, Martinez and Pickford aren’t the type of goalkeepers who rely on clean sheets to showcase their value. Instead, they earn their reputation by being in the right place at the right time to make the improbable save.

Martinez’s numbers at 2026 World Cup

Coming into soccer’s biggest tournament with concerns over a fractured finger, Martinez needed some time to find his footing at the 2026 World Cup. Although he kept clean sheets in Argentina’s first two group-stage games, he still looked a gear off. Against Egypt in the Round of 16, Martinez had his worst game of the World Cup, but he bounced back with arguably his best performance against Switzerland in the quarterfinals.

When Argentina were in distress, Martinez came to their rescue, just as he had done at Qatar 2022. So far, Martinez has played six games at the 2026 World Cup, recording two clean sheets and conceding six goals. His numbers may leave some to be desired, but Argentina know how their goalkeeper operates, and they are aware he usually saves his best for the latter stages of the tournament.

Moreover, if any knockout-stage match is decided by a penalty shootout, La Albiceleste are confident their goalkeeper—who is renowned for playing mind games with opposing takers and dancing afterwards—stacks the deck in their favor.

Pickford’s stats at 2026 World Cup

Although some England fans still resist him, Pickford has become synonymous with the Three Lions in recent years. No other goalkeeper has stepped up to take his place, and there is a reason national team head coaches have come and gone for England while Pickford has remained the starter.

Although he may concede head-scratching goals from time to time, Pickford is just as capable of pulling off saves no other goalkeeper could. With Pickford, one can never really tell what’s going to happen. The only certainty is that it will be entertaining. So far at the 2026 World Cup, however, the good has outweighed the bad for Pickford.

As mentioned earlier, the two goalkeepers have more than just similar personalities—their statistics are another example. Like Martinez, Pickford has kept two clean sheets and conceded six goals through six games at the 2026 World Cup. According to FOX Sports, Pickford has the edge in saves made, with 12 compared to Martinez’s eight. Other than that, their stat sheets are virtually photocopies of one another. As Argentina and England gear up for another World Cup battle, only one of them will make it through.

Key info about Martinez and Pickford

By playing vs. Norway, Jordan Pickford surpassed Peter Shilton to become England’s most-capped player in World Cup history. This is Pickford’s 18th appearance in soccer’s biggest stage.

Pickford doesn’t play for an elite team unlike many of his teammates, but he has established himself as the absolute guardian of England’s goal. Consistently having good performances, the Everton man is as good as anyone on the field when repping the Three Lions. It’s largely on him to dictate if England win, tie or lose vs. Norway.

Pickford stats in World Cup

Pickford has kept six clean sheets in the World Cup stage. Not only that, but with Pickford in goal, England have won the only penalty shootout where he’s played in. In fact, Pickford saved the decisive penalty over Carlos Bacca in 2018 vs. Colombia.

On the not-so-good side, he has conceded 18 goals, so, on average, every time Pickford plays, England will concede. Still, Pickford is usually very good. He has one World Cup FIFA Man of the Match award, earned in 2018’s quarterfinal vs Sweden.

Pickford is facing a huge problem vs. Norway though

Facing Norway means facing Erling Braut Haaland, and that is bad news for Pickford. No goalkeeper has conceded more goals to Haaland than Pickford. Hence, it’s a tough test for him trying to avoid one of the world’s deadliest strikers to score on him in a win-or-go-home match.

Right now, any possible scenario projects a tough fight for Manchester United with clubs such as the Gunners, Manchester City, Newcastle and Tottenham. To make things worse, Liverpool and Chelsea are quietly coming back especially to get in the battle for the Top-4. There’s no margin of error.

So, after the Qatar 2022World Cup break, major signings are on the way for a lot of big clubs in the Premier League. Manchester United are not the exception and, considering David de Gea’s contract is about to expire, there could be a new star goalkeeper. The move could be shocking.

Who might replace David de Gea as goalkeeper in Manchester United?

David de Gea’s contract with Manchester United expires on June of 2023. This means that starting on January 1, the Spanish goalkeeper is free to negotiate with any team he likes. As expected, Erik ten Hag has to be ready in case he doesn’t accept a reduced salary and the search for a possible replacement is on.

The big name who could land in Manchester is Jordan Pickford. The 28-year old goalkeeper had a very solid World Cup forEngland and might leave Everton to sign with a powerhouse in the Premier League. It would be great competition for the starting job and definitely a good Plan B in case David de Geadecides to leave.

However, Manchester United are not alone. Tottenham and Chelsea could also be in the mix to sign the goalkeeper. Since 2017, Pickford has become a star at Everton, but, the contract extension to retain him is currently delayed. Now, considering his World Cup perfomances, that could open the door for Pickford to leave.

According to the report one person had a broken nose and another had his phone smashed. By the time police arrived at the scene the Everton goalkeeper and his friends were long gone.

Jordan Pickford is Everton’s number one goalkeeper and is also an England national team player. Pickford has been to the 2018 World Cup and Euro 2020 tournaments with England. Here is more information on Pickford’s involvement in a bar room brawl.

What happened with Jordan Pickford and his friends at a bar

According to one witness, “He was getting goaded, like they do. All I heard was ‘little arms’ and then that’s it. It kicked off. It happened as soon as they walked in. They hadn’t even had time to get a drink. One lad suffered a broken nose. Pickford wasn’t hurt at all. He was out of the door as soon as it kicked off. Pickford’s group left by minibus before the police came.”

The “T-Rex” arms comes just a few days after a Newcastle United fan wore a Tyrannosaurus Rex costume to a game to make fun of the goalkeeper.

“Liverpool FC can confirm Virgil van Dijk will undergo surgery on the knee injury he sustained during Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Everton.The centre-back damaged knee ligaments following an incident involving Blues goalkeeper Jordan Pickford after six minutes at Goodison Park,” the club said in a statement.

They added that nospecific timescale has been set for the 29-year-old’s return on the pitch. However, several English reports, includingbein Sports,suggest that the player may miss up to 7-8 months of action. Thus, he certainly will not make a comeback from the injury in 2020.

Virgil van Dijk-Jordan Pickford: What really happened

Liverpool were attacking deep with manyplayers in their opponents’penalty area when Van Dijk received an accurate cross down the right flank.In wasaround the sixth minute when Everton goalkeeper JordanPickford stepped up and made ahostilechallenge on the Dutch international.

The VAR room noticed the tackle and referee Michael Oliver opted to check the episode himself.Since it wasdeterminedthatVanDijkwasoffside, VAR and the referee refusedtoinvestigatePickford’sfoul for a possible red card for the dangerous tackle.

Thus,Jordan Pickford escaped unpunished for hisclumsy intervention. To make matters worse for theReds, Klopp’s side failed to win as they were held 2-2 by Carlo Ancelotti’s men.