England: Why Morgan Rogers starts against Argentina as Arsenal star dropped for World Cup semi-final

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15 July 2026

Noni Madueke pays the price for a poor first half against Norway

The Three Lions’ side shows three changes from the

World Cup

quarter-final win over Norway, with Rogers drafted in alongside Reece James and

Djed Spence - both of whom impressed off the bench in Miami at the weekend

Ezri Konsa, Nico O’Reilly and Madueke are the trio that make way, though the latter not being replaced by

Arsenal

team-mate Saka is somewhat of a surprise given previous decisions throughout the tournament.

Madueke has started four games at the

World Cup 2026

and on each occasion he has made way for Saka. This was the case at half-time against Norway after a below-par first half performance.

Alternatively, when the winger has not started for

England

, it has been Saka lining up on the right-hand side of the Three Lions’ attack. However, that is not the case for Wednesday night’s showdown with

Argentina

Instead, it’s Rogers - linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium this summer

- who has been given the nod in a rather unfamiliar position on the right.

“Because it’s a feeling, just a feeling from the coach,” a stomach feeling,” Tuchel said of his decision ahead of kick-off when speaking to BBC Sport.

“I feel he has something special to give today, I felt he was very strong in the last match against Norway and in between that he’s had outstanding training sessions to follow up on that performance.

“It’s just a feeling.”

Thomas Tuchel has left

Noni Madueke

on the bench for England’s

semi-final against Argentina

AFP/Getty

Meanwhile, on the decision to hand starts to James and Spence at full-back, Tuchel added: “They are specialists and they deserve to play. Reece is back and has the quality to play at the very highest level, shows no nerves.

“We want the agility and speed of Djed who was strong in the last matches from the bench. We need the full-backs involved in the attack.”

Thomas Tuchel explains ‘feeling’ to start Morgan Rogers in World Cup semi-final

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Ornstein reveals Morgan Rogers "rewarded" with start in unfamiliar role vs Argentina tonight

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