England’s World Cup exits: From Turin to Leon, where does Argentina in Atlanta 2026 rank?

Key Points:

• England's last World Cup final appearance and victory was in 1966, and they have not reached the final since, with their recent semi-final loss in 2026 continuing a six-decade drought.
• The 2026 semi-final defeat to Argentina was particularly painful, as England led 1-0 until a 92nd-minute winner, with criticism focused on manager Thomas Tuchel's defensive tactics.
• Historically, England's World Cup exits have included notable heartbreaks such as the 1990 semi-final penalty shootout loss to West Germany, considered their most devastating defeat due to the high expectations that year.
• Other significant disappointments include the 1986 quarter-final loss to Argentina involving Maradona's infamous "Hand of God" goal, and the 1998 last-16 penalty shootout loss to Argentina after Beckham's red card.
• England's World Cup performances have varied, with low points like the 2014 group stage exit and more competitive showings such as the 2018 semi-final loss to Croatia and 2022 quarter-final defeat to France.