FIFA World Cup

The city is officially welcoming the soccer world today as the highly anticipated second semifinal of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ prepares to kick off at Atlanta Stadium.  With a spot in Sunday's grand finale on the line, one of international football's most storied, fierce, and emotionally charged rivalries is being renewed right here in Georgia.

With ticket prices for Wednesday's semifinal soaring into the thousands, many fans are making their way to FIFA Fan Festival, where crowds have gathered all month to celebrate the tournament. Kevin Egan, one of the hosts who has spent weeks on the Fan Fest stage, said Atlanta has fully embraced its role as a World Cup city.

The gates to FIFA Fan Festival at Centennial Olympic Park had only been open for about 20 minutes Wednesday morning, but fans were already streaming in by the thousands ahead of the World Cup semifinal between Argentina and England.

Among the thousands of supporters filling downtown Atlanta ahead of Wednesday’s World Cup semifinal is one fan with an unusual connection to the match: Zelda, who was born in Argentina but holds British citizenship.

With less than three hours until kickoff, England supporters turned Founders Green into a sea of white, red and navy blue Wednesday morning, filling bars and restaurants near Atlanta Stadium before the highly anticipated World Cup semifinal against Argentina. 

Hours before kickoff, Argentina supporters packed Underground Atlanta, transforming downtown into a sea of blue and white as drums, chants and music echoed through the city. Fans gathered for the second day of the Argentina Fan Fest before marching to Atlanta Stadium for Wednesday's World Cup semifinal.

After a month of World Cup action, Atlanta is preparing for its final match as Argentina and England square off Wednesday afternoon with a trip to Sunday’s championship game against Spain on the line. Fans from both countries have already begun gathering around Atlanta Stadium, where organizers expect one of the loudest crowds of the tournament.

Underground Atlanta was relatively calm around 10 a.m. Wednesday, but that quiet is not expected to last. The same area was packed with Argentina supporters Tuesday night, with waves of blue-and-white-clad fans filling downtown before police eventually dispersed the crowd as festivities ended.

England supporters have turned their World Cup run into a traveling party, belting out Beatles classic "Hey Jude" in honor of star midfielder Jude Bellingham after the team's quarterfinal victory over Norway.

Security is tightening across Atlanta as thousands of fans pour into the city for Wednesday's FIFA World Cup semifinal between England and Argentina. Atlanta police say roughly 1,600 officers are on call for the match, capping years of planning that began when the city was selected as a World Cup host.