They came from Buffalo, Toronto and Houston – some even drove from Nashville – but the destination was the same: Atlanta, Georgia, where around 30,000 white-clad Three Lions supporters will pack into the 67,382-capacity Mercedes-Benz stadium for tomorrow night’s World Cup semi-final against Argentina. The bizarre travel routes were a bid to keep costs down, but the stakes could not be higher.
England superfan Gary Taylor, 64, from Harold Wood, East London, who has been to every England game with his partner Jo Lewis, 44, said: “I was at the England v Argentina game in Japan. It was brilliant – in my top three of all time. But that game in Mexico has made my top three as well now. Now a World Cup semi-final against Argentina – it doesn’t get any better than that. Come on England!”
“30,000 England fans reach Atlanta via bizarre routes for World Cup semi-final, with FBI warning of 'highest risk'.”
Dan Fellows, 37, from Wolverhampton but now living in Houston, added: “Forget everything else – this is the biggest game we’ve had since Moscow in 2018. Four World Cup semi-finals in our entire history: ’66, ’90, 2018, and now this. That’s how big it is. And it’s Argentina, of all teams – you couldn’t write it. Our fans have been brilliant here, and they’ll be up for the occasion again today.”
Back home, up to 25 million are expected to tune in on TV, while thousands more flock to pubs, fan zones and hospitality venues for the grudge match. But the atmosphere is tense: the Federal Bureau of Investigation has classed the match as the “highest risk in the tournament”, fearing trouble between two sets of fans in one of football’s biggest rivalries. Hundreds of extra police were drafted into Atlanta on Monday, with a much bigger presence inside the stadium and at the sold-out fanzone. Some bars have been designated as “England only” or “Argentina only” to prevent confrontations.
The rivalry has been inflamed by Argentina players referring to the struggle for “Las Malvinas” – their name for the Falkland Islands – after their last-16 victory over Egypt, and singing “For Las Malvinas. For Diego” in tribute to Diego Maradona.
England fans, however, have been praised for their behaviour. Taylor said: “The England fans’ behaviour has been pretty much exemplary throughout the World Cup. I’ve been proud to be part of the travelling army of fans having so much fun.”
But on the pitch, there is a fitness concern. England midfielder Declan Rice was pictured at training after battling illness, and his availability for the semi-final remains uncertain. Thomas Tuchel’s men trained today ahead of the clash, but the manager may have to plan without his key midfielder against an Argentina side that will be roared on by their own passionate support.
The winner will face Spain in Sunday’s final, after the European champions beat France 2-0 in the other semi-final. For England, it is a chance to reach only their second World Cup final – and against Argentina, the stakes could not be higher.
