Argentina fans fight among themselves as violence erupts ahead of World Cup 2026 semi-final against England | OneFootball

Glass bottles, tables, benches and bins were thrown in clashes between rival Argentina supporters - as security heightened for ‘high risk’ game

Fighting erupted between Argentina fans ahead of their country’s World Cup semi-final clash with England.

Police in Atlanta, Georgia, were forced to intervene after the violence between rival groups of Argentinian supporters.

Footage showed Argentina fans fighting in Atlanta ahead of the World Cup semi-final against England

x/ @Olguinkev

Glass bottles, tables, benches and bins were hurled in the public disorder incident.

The violence involved rival fans of Argentine clubs San Lorenzo and Huracan.

At least one man was handcuffed and taken away by police.

Footage of the clashes were shared online.

The clashes exploded at what was supposed to be a unifying “flag-waving rally” on the eve of the Argentina game against Harry Kane’s team.

Atlanta Police have deployed significantly more officers ahead of the “high risk” match which is being seen as a potential flashpoint given past tensions between fans and the Falkland Islands conflict in 1982.

England fans at a bar in Downtown Atlanta, Georgia, ahead of England's semi-final match against Argentina on Wednesday

PA

Argentina’s foreign minister Pablo Quirno threatened to reignite tensions days before the game when he described Falkland Islanders as an “artificially implanted” population.

Stacy Bragger, a member of the Falkland Islands legislative assembly, dismissed such talk as “nonsense”.

He told ITV’s Good Morning Britain: “It’s the same tired rhetoric.

“We are a very proud member of the British family.”

England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has stressed that the match is "just a game of football" and predicted "football will do its talking".

Downing Street stated: “The UK’s position is clear.

Man of the moment: Jude Bellingham

Getty

After England’s 2-1 win against Norway on Saturday, with two goals by Jude Bellingham, the hopes of the nation are resting on the Three Lions beating Argentina to get to the World Cup final against Spain.

Argentina fans are expected to significantly outnumber England supporters in Atlanta.

Thousands of followers from both teams are unlikely to be able to get a ticket for the game.

The Atlanta Stadium has a capacity of some 68,000 supporters.

But around 100,000 fans are expected to head for the city for the game, with around two thirds of them predicted to be backing Argentina.

The Argentina v England fixture has history including Diego Maradona’s infamous “Hand of God” goal which should have been disallowed at the quarter final of the 1986 World Cup in Mexico City.

But as of Tuesday, the gathering of fans before the latest match had largely happened peacefully.

In a statement, Atlanta Police said: “As Atlanta prepares to host an upcoming FIFA World Cup semi-final match and welcomes increased numbers of residents and visitors, the Atlanta Police Department has enhanced its citywide public safety and security posture.

“Additional personnel and resources are already deployed and will continue to be strategically assigned in and around the event venues, entertainment districts, and other high-traffic areas to help ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.”

England will be aiming to limit goal scoring chances for Argentina’s Lionel Messi

PA

In Buenos Aires, British diplomats put out a light-hearted “internal memo” on social media to seek to defuse any tensions with Argentina.

It stated that should England win, the plan was to "celebrate elegantly, full stop”.

While if Lionel Messi’s team was victorious the response was to "congratulate the winner, wish them the best of luck in the final and not go around denouncing non-existent conspiracies”.

Memes were allowed “but with tact,” added the missive, signed in jest by "His Majesty's Office for the Contingency of an England-Argentina World Cup Fixture”.