No matter who one roots for, Argentina versus England in the 2026 World Cup semifinals was classic sports. The drama was felt, the athleticism was great, and the emotion was far too real, and that includes Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger.
He was there at Atlanta Stadium, just days after his band released their latest album. That didn't matter. What did was England trying to win its first World Cup since just after the Rolling Stones started making hit albums. That was in 1966. The Stones have been more internationally successful than the England national team since then.
After England took a 1-0 lead, Argentina came back not with one goal but with two. In the World Cup final, the opponents won't be England and Spain, but Argentina and Spain. That's fitting since Lionel Messi, arguably the greatest player ever and the biggest Argentine star, played for Real Madrid for many years.
Rolling Stones' Mick Jagger watches as England fails miserably at the World Cup
None of that makes Jagger happy, of course. After he was seen during broadcasts enjoying the match, his smile turned to unhappiness after Argentina scored their first goal. At that point, the South American team, maybe still hoping to strike revenge for the Falkland Islands fiasco, appeared to have all the momentum.
Mick Jagger está indignado com o empate.#INGxARG #CopaNaGlobo pic.twitter.com/QhXPsFL7bK
— Daniel Martins (@OComunicativ0) July 15, 2026
In extra time, Argentina scored another goal while England found no answer, and fans of the UK nation left sadly. Argentina won 2-1 and will try to defend their 2022 World Cup title against Spain on Sunday. The match, much like the rest of the tournament, should be epic.
At least Mick Jagger has some reason for happiness beyond real football. His band's latest album, Foreign Tongues, is excellent. The record is yet another gem in the long history of a legendary band delivering such gems. Jagger can expect such brilliance at this point.
What he cannot expect is England's success in international competition. It is difficult being good, but not great. No one thinks that Harry Kane and the English team won't have a fighting chance at making a deep run at the most important football event in the world. They simply seemed destined to fail. The Rolling Stones, though, have set themselves up for high-end success for decades.
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