Anticipation. Excitement. Tension. Three words that capture the mood in Atlanta, Georgia, as thousands of fans descend on the city ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final showdown between England and Argentina on Wednesday (15 July).
One of international football’s fiercest rivalries, England and Argentina’s World Cup history is rich with unforgettable moments, from Diego Maradona’s infamous ‘Hand of God‘ goal to David Beckham’s red card.
Yet their semi-final clash in Atlanta, USA, which also played host to the 1996 Olympic Games, will be just the sixth World Cup meeting between the two teams, and their first with a place in the final at stake.
Speaking to reporters in the mixed zone media area on the eve of the match, England defender Marc Guéhi told us, “Everyone’s excited.”
“You say the occasion, big players… everyone’s relishing the opportunity going into the game and [we’re] looking forward to it,” he added.
Among those looking forward to the match are Gabriel and his friend Frederico, who have arrived in Atlanta to show their support for their home nation, Argentina.
They have travelled from Tucumán, in the north of the country, and have seen the South American nation play against Egypt and Switzerland in the earlier rounds. Although they have been unable to secure tickets for Wednesday’s semi-final, they said they were “really happy” to just be in the same city to cheer them on.
“The Argentina team is the best thing in our country,” Gabriel told Olympics.com.
“It’s something incredible. We are very, very, very happy to be Argentinian. They represent us in the best way. We’re really happy to be here and supporting the team.
“I understand why we have that rivalry [with England], but it’s like the players and the coach already said; this is football, and we are going to have fun, and we hope we win.”
‘Robbery of the Century’ and the ‘Hand of God’
Widely regarded as the defining moment of their footballing rivalry, England and Argentina came head-to-head in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico, a game forever associated with Diego Maradona‘s two extraordinary goals.
His first, the infamous ‘Hand of God‘, saw him controversially punch the ball into the net, a clear handball which wasn’t spotted by the referee. The other, a breathtaking solo run from inside his own half, is considered one of the greatest goals ever scored.
Queuing to enter Atlanta’s Centennial Olympic Park, which has been transformed into a FIFA Fanzone for the World Cup, was England fan Josan, and her husband, Sid, from Essex.
She remembers just how far the impact of Maradona’s goals reached.
“I wasn’t really into football that much [in 1986], I probably read about it, but everybody knew about it,” she told Olympics.com.
“There’s always so much weight on the players because of the history [of this fixture],”
This weight was no more evident than at the 1998 World Cup in Saint-Étienne, France, where England and Argentina faced each other in the Round of 16.
England’s 18-year-old striker Michael Owen announced himself on the world stage with a stunning individual goal, but the match turned early in the second half when David Beckham was bundled to the floor by Diego Simeone. The Englishman reacted, and was shown a red card for kicking out.
Reduced to 10 men, England eventually crashed out on penalties, with Beckham becoming the focus of national blame.
In a twist of fate, Diego Simeone’s son, Giuliano, was selected for the Argentina squad this time around and could feature against England on Wednesday.
In a Netflix documentary, Beckham, the former England captain reflected candidly on the moment and the years that followed.
“I made a stupid mistake. It changed my life,” he said, before explaining how the moment led to an intense period of depression that lasted years. “As much as I don’t like to talk about it… I didn’t eat, I didn’t sleep. I was in a bad place.”
England fan Tihi Prpa instantly recalled “the David Beckham incident, with the kick out of the leg” when asked of his most memorable moment between the two sides, before adding: “and Michael Owen on the run.”
Prpa, who was born in England in 1966, the year they last won the World Cup, received a ticket to Wednesday’s semi-final as a 60th birthday present from his sons, Aleksandar and Luka.
Waiting to enter the fanzone, he told Olympics.com: “I also remember the ‘Hand of God’, but then I also remember the run by Maradona.
“A lot of good memories and some bad memories, you know. But for England fans, not so many good ones there. They’ve had our number, let’s put it that way.”
“Hopefully this is going to be the time that, as everyone hopes, it’s coming home,” Prpa said.
Meanwhile, redemption for Beckham arrived only four years later.
Drawn together with Argentina in the group stage of the 2002 World Cup, England were awarded a first-half penalty after Mauricio Pochettino, now head coach of the US men’s national team, fouled Owen inside the area.
Beckham stepped up and converted the spot-kick, sealing a famous 1-0 victory that finally exorcised some of the ghosts of 1998, and helped turn him into a national treasure.
READ MORE: https://www.olympics.com/en/news/england-argentina-fans-atlanta-historic-fifa-world-cup-2026-semi-final-preview
