Reece James Reflects on England's Journey to FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi-Finals
England's Historic Semi-Final Journey
Photo: @LionsGibFC/X
Miami, July 13: As England gears up to face Argentina, midfielder Reece James expressed that the team's advancement to the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finals is truly a dream come true.
Under the guidance of Thomas Tuchel, England overcame Norway in the quarter-finals, rallying from a 1-0 deficit to secure a 2-1 victory after extra time, thanks to Jude Bellingham's two goals.
Norway initially took the lead in the first half when Andreas Schjelderup's cross from the left struck the far post and crossed the line.
Bellingham showcased his talent by equalizing for England before scoring again in extra time, sealing the comeback and leading the Three Lions to their third World Cup semi-final since 1966.
James, who made his return from a hamstring injury by coming off the bench against Norway, played a crucial role in both defense and midfield. After helping the team reach this milestone in North America, he shared his thoughts on their journey.
“This is what dreams are made of,” James stated during the latest episode of Lions’ Den Connected by EE. “Every child dreams of playing in a World Cup, and this is part of that journey. Competing in a semi-final against one of the top nations is a delight for us.”
When asked by host Andrew Mensah if he could savor moments like Bellingham's double against Norway, James replied, “It’s tough during matches. You might have a brief moment to appreciate it, but then it’s back to business. Once yesterday's game concluded, our focus shifted forward. We have a new challenge ahead, and we’re already preparing for it.”
England is set to clash with Argentina in the semi-finals in Atlanta on Thursday, with the victor advancing to face either France or Spain in the final on Sunday.
As the defending world champions, Argentina poses a significant challenge, but James is confident that he and his teammates can handle the pressure of facing Lionel Messi and his squad on such a grand stage.
"Experience plays a key role. The higher the stakes, the more pressure there is. However, at the end of the day, we’ve been playing football for 20 to 25 years; the fundamentals remain the same, even if the stakes are higher," James concluded.