Supermarkets make major changes ahead of England World Cup semi-final
Major UK supermarkets are making changes that'll sure to please FIFA World Cup fans ahead of England’s semi-final match against reigning champions Argentina tonight (15 July). Here’s what you need to know.
At 8pm, the Three Lions will face Lionel Scaloni’s squad in the hopes of making a Men’s World Cup final for the first time since 2018.
In case you forgot, the England Lionesses did place second at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup following a 1-0 loss to Spain, but Thomas Tuchel’s squad will want more than a silver medal come the final battle on Sunday (19 July).
Ahead of the competition, chefs have been revealing what food is likely fuelling the team and what items are essentially ‘banned’ in camp, while tourists have become obsessed with ranch dressing and the convenience store, Buc-ees.
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If you didn't manage to get a ticket to the game at the Atlanta Stadium and are instead watching the England vs Argentina match from the comfort of your sofa, then you’ll be pleased to know that some of your favourite supermarkets are staying open late for potential celebratory (or comisiratory) celebrations.
Deliveroo has confirmed that 311 Sainsbury’s stores will stay open until 11.30pm for matchday essentials, including groceries, caffeinated drinks, and pizzas.
You will also be able to order goods from the chain up until 11.30pm via Deliveroo on the date of the World Cup final, which will feature Spain and either England or Argentina, depending on the score tonight.
Deliveroo customers also can pick up late-night goods from 72 Morrisons stores. These particular venues will also stay open until 11.30pm during the England semi-final, as per the delivery service.
Meanwhile, Iceland has gone the extra mile to cheer on the team by temporarily rebranding three of its sites to ‘England’.
The stores are located in Chingford, the home of Harry Kane, Stourbridge, where Jude Bellingham was raised, and Washington, the birthplace of goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
Iceland said the store signs will remain in place at all three branches ‘for the duration of England’s tournament campaign’, adding: "The transformation celebrates both the team’s success and the local community that helped produce three of the nation’s brightest talents.”
World Cup 2026 fixture schedule and UK kick off times
Tuesday, 14 July
Semi-final - Match 101: France vs Spain, kick-off 8pm - Arlington, US
Wednesday, 15 July
Semi-final - Match 102: England vs Argentina, kick-off 8pm - Atlanta, US
Saturday, 18 July
Third Place Playoff - Match 103: Match 101 losers vs Match 102 losers, kick-off 10pm - Miami, US
Sunday, 19 July
Final - Match 104: Match 101 winners vs Match 102 winners, kick-off 8pm - New Jersey, US
If England win the World Cup, do we get a bank holiday?
Now that the Three Lions have made it to the semi-finals of the World Cup, thoughts have turned to the possibility that football really could be coming home - and what better way to celebrate England’s success than a day off work?
Outgoing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer previously hinted at the prospect of a bank holiday if Thomas Tuchel’s side win the tournament.
“On the question of a bank holiday, I think I don't want to jinx it, but ask me again if we get to the final,” he told reporters at a Nato conference on 8 July.
With the final taking place on Sunday (19 July), it’s believed that the celebratory bank holiday would likely fall on the following Friday (24 July).
Only time will tell!
Ella Scott