England has reached the FIFA World Cup semifinals four times, including its 2026 semifinal against Argentina. Before the 2026 match is played, the Three Lions have recorded one semifinal victory and two semifinal defeats.
England’s only World Cup semifinal win came in 1966, when the national team went on to lift the trophy. Its two previous semifinal losses occurred against West Germany in 1990 and Croatia in 2018.
England’s World Cup Semifinal Record
| World Cup | Opponent | Result | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Portugal | England won 2-1 | Advanced to the final |
| 1990 | West Germany | Drew 1-1; lost 4-3 on penalties | Eliminated |
| 2018 | Croatia | England lost 2-1 after extra time | Eliminated |
| 2026 | Argentina | Scheduled for July 15, 2026 | To be determined |
England’s Record Before the 2026 Semifinal
- Semifinal appearances: 3 completed, 4 overall
- Semifinal wins: 1
- Semifinal losses: 2
- Success rate: 33.3 percent in completed semifinals
England Beat Portugal in the 1966 World Cup Semifinal
England’s only World Cup semifinal victory came on July 26, 1966, when the Three Lions defeated Portugal 2-1 at Wembley Stadium.
Bobby Charlton scored both of England’s goals, while Eusébio converted a late penalty for Portugal. England held on to secure its place in the World Cup final.
The Three Lions then defeated West Germany 4-2 after extra time in the final, capturing the country’s first and only men’s FIFA World Cup championship.
England Lost to West Germany in the 1990 Semifinal
England returned to the World Cup semifinals at Italia 1990, facing West Germany in Turin.
The match finished 1-1 after extra time. Andreas Brehme gave West Germany the lead before Gary Lineker equalized for England in the 80th minute.
West Germany eventually won the penalty shootout 4-3. Stuart Pearce and Chris Waddle missed England’s final two penalties, ending the Three Lions’ hopes of reaching the final.
England Lost to Croatia in the 2018 World Cup Semifinal
England reached the final four again at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Kieran Trippier gave England an early lead with a free kick, but Croatia equalized through Ivan Perišić in the second half. Mario Mandžukić scored during extra time to give Croatia a 2-1 victory.
The defeat meant England failed to reach the World Cup final for the second time following its 1966 triumph.
England Reaches the 2026 World Cup Semifinal
England’s run at the 2026 FIFA World Cup represents the country’s fourth appearance in the semifinals and its second semifinal appearance in the past three tournaments.
England will face Argentina on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at 3 p.m. ET. The match will determine whether the Three Lions improve their all-time World Cup semifinal record to two wins and two losses or suffer a third semifinal defeat.
The winner will advance to face Spain in the 2026 World Cup final on Sunday, July 19.
Has England Ever Won a World Cup Semifinal?
Yes. England has won one men’s FIFA World Cup semifinal.
That victory came against Portugal in 1966. England won 2-1 before defeating West Germany in the final.
How Many World Cup Semifinals Has England Lost?
England has been eliminated in two completed World Cup semifinals:
- West Germany in 1990
- Croatia in 2018
The 1990 match was officially recorded as a draw because the teams were level after extra time, but England was eliminated after losing the penalty shootout.
England World Cup Semifinal History Summary
England entered the 2026 World Cup semifinal with a record of one win and two losses in three previous semifinal appearances.
The Three Lions’ complete semifinal history includes:
- A 2-1 victory over Portugal in 1966
- A penalty-shootout defeat against West Germany in 1990
- A 2-1 extra-time defeat against Croatia in 2018
- A scheduled match against Argentina in 2026
England must defeat Argentina to reach its first World Cup final since winning the tournament in 1966.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times has England reached the World Cup semifinals?
England has reached the men’s FIFA World Cup semifinals four times: 1966, 1990, 2018 and 2026.
How many World Cup semifinals has England won?
England has won one completed World Cup semifinal, beating Portugal 2-1 in 1966.
How many World Cup semifinals has England lost?
England has been eliminated in two completed World Cup semifinals, losing to West Germany on penalties in 1990 and Croatia after extra time in 2018.
When was England’s last World Cup semifinal?
Before the 2026 tournament, England’s most recent World Cup semifinal was against Croatia on July 11, 2018.
Has England Ever Won the FIFA World Cup?
Yes. England won the FIFA World Cup in 1966 after defeating West Germany 4-2 after extra time in the final.
SEO Title: How Many World Cup Semifinals Has England Won and Lost?
Meta Description: England has reached four FIFA World Cup semifinals. Explore the Three Lions’ semifinal wins, losses, complete record and history before facing Argentina in the 2026 World Cup.
Suggested URL Slug: england-world-cup-semifinal-wins-losses