Atlanta saved its heavyweight bout for last. On Wednesday, England and Argentina meet at Atlanta Stadium in the eighth and final World Cup match the city is hosting — a semifinal between two of the sport's giants, with the winner advancing to Sunday's final against France or Spain.
It is, by any measure, the biggest of Atlanta's eight. GPB Sports' Jon Nelson, who has covered the full run, is not betting against the defending champions — or against a 39-year-old Lionel Messi chasing back-to-back titles. Messi remains the fulcrum of everything Argentina does, leading the team in touches and sitting just five short of matching Diego Maradona's landmark 1986 tournament involvement. Nelson's caveat: both squads went a full 120 minutes in their quarterfinals, and how veteran legs recover on a short turnaround may decide the night.
Then there is the history, which Nelson says could fill nine radio segments on its own: the Rattin red card in 1966, Maradona's Hand of God and his goal-of-the-century sequel in 1986, David Beckham's infamous sending-off, a string of charged friendlies — all of it shadowed by the Falklands War. Few rivalries in international soccer carry this much freight.
England bring their own firepower: Harry Kane, a red-hot Jude Bellingham with six goals in the tournament, and goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who has been outstanding in net. Like Argentina — survivors of nail-biters against Cabo Verde and Egypt — the Three Lions arrive tested, having ground through the sultry Miami heat in their previous round. Wednesday's climate-controlled indoor setting may feel like a reward.
Expect a frenzy around the building. Tickets were commanding get-in prices reported as high as $3,400, and both fan bases have been drifting into downtown since Monday. For the 68,000-plus inside and the neutrals everywhere else, Atlanta's World Cup finale should be a great watch.
Original reporting: Georgia Public Broadcasting (2026-07-14)