The FBI, FIFA and local police have classified England’s World Cup semi-final against Argentina as the ‘highest risk’ match of the tournament, following a meeting that raised fears of fan violence in Atlanta. The historical bitterness between the two nations – rooted in the 1982 Falklands War, where 907 people lost their lives – has been inflamed this week by the Argentinian foreign minister’s renewed claim to the islands, swiftly rebuffed by Prime Minister Kier Starmer.
On the pitch, the stakes are equally charged. For Harry Kane, this is the crowning moment of a career that has brought 73 goals in 64 appearances for club and country, and more domestic trophies since his move to Bayern Munich in 2023. “That’s why you do all the work behind the scenes,” Kane said after rescuing England against the Democratic Republic of the Congo. “Those guys, Messi and Ronaldo, are at the pinnacle of that.” The England captain, doubted as a youth by Tottenham coaches, now has five days to win the Ballon d’Or – the way to do it: outshine Lionel Messi in Atlanta, then see off Kylian Mbappé or Lamine Yamal on Sunday.
“England vs Argentina semi-final deemed highest risk; Kane aims to outshine Messi for Ballon d'Or.”
Messi, at 39, is playing his sixth World Cup – a joint record – and leads the Golden Boot race with eight goals and three assists. But the global audience has seen a reinvented Messi: he walks 47% of the distance he covers, the highest percentage of any outfield player, averaging just 2.7 sprints per match compared to 5.3 four years ago. Despite moving less, he has had 33 shots and created 21 chances – the most combined (54) since Diego Maradona in 1986. England will have to do something only Poland have managed in his past 15 World Cup appearances: stop him from scoring or assisting. He has 16 goals and seven assists in those games.
Argentina will wear their darker blue kit, deemed good luck by the local press. Referee Ismail Elfath has been appointed for the match, which kicks off at 20:00 BST on Wednesday at Atlanta Stadium. The Atlanta Police Department has enhanced its citywide security posture, deploying additional personnel “to help ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone”.
For Kane, a win would not only banish the demons of the Azteca, where Maradona’s ‘hand of God’ knocked England out in 1986, but also cement his place among the all-time greats. The question is whether he can do what no England player has done before: outperform the greatest footballer of all time on the biggest stage.