England are through to the semi finals

"I have read England are through to the semi finals and England is through to the semi finals.
I am discombobulated- which is correct??"

In all but three of the World Cups going back to 1950, neither would be correct.

I am sure #GarethSouthgate would .....know [gin]

Or Pedants' Corner, even.....

Totally agree Jalima. (I was playing Devil's advocate, only because this is, after all, Pedants Corner )

who cares - they're through!!
which sounds better than 'it's through'!!

Though it is the England team through not the physical country so you could argue that” are “ is correct? Well no, since 'The England team' is a collective noun and is therefore singular. whereas if it were 'the members of the England team...

Does it really matter to you?

Though it is the England team through not the physical country so you could argue that” are “ is correct?

what Luckygirl said

The England football team is through to the semi-finals - not England!!! It slightly gets under my skin - if the subject of a news item is football, then fine; but a news headline to the same effect is just plain daft!

In answer to your actual question - "is" is what is needed.

Signed Grumpy Old Lady!

England is also through!

England are through to the semi finals.....yes.