How much is David Beckham set to pocket from his World Cup brand deals? Take on our quiz in our newsletter HERE See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy MIKE KEEGAN, CHIEF SPORTS REPORTER Published: 08:00 BST, 14 July 2026 | Updated: 08:31 BST, 14 July 2026
England's semi-final with Argentina has been classified as the 'highest risk' match at the World Cup following a meeting of the FBI, officials and local police.A wide-ranging series of security measures will be implemented in Atlanta, including separate gates for entry for the two sets of supporters – although there will be no segregation inside the stadium.The FBI, FIFA and police met on Monday, where the historical divide between the two nations and concerns over potential issues between rival supporters was outlined.While considerable efforts will be made to keep fans apart, there is an acceptance that there is little officials can do inside the stadium thanks to the lack of segregation at FIFA games. Special attention will be paid to concourse areas, where fans are expected to mix.Videos have already circulated online of disturbances between Argentina and England fans on Saturday. In one, a Three Lions supporter is seen in the stadium trading punches with three men in Argentina shirts, while another clip appeared to show a group of Argentina-shirted followers confronting England fans in a bar. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has called for calm, despite the fact his players have continuously sang a song referencing the Falkland Islands during their progression throughout the tournament. In 1982, following Argentina's invasion, 907 people lost their lives in a conflict that saw Britain reassert control over the South Atlantic islands. Argentina's foreign minister this week restated their claim over the territory, which was swiftly rejected by Sir Keir Starmer. Argentina supporters attending England's quarter-final game against Norway fight in the stands with an English fan England fans travelling to Atlanta for Wednesday's World Cup semi-final with Argentina will encounter strong security measures in place - with the fixture classified as the 'highest risk' Argentina sang a song about the Falkland Islands to taunt England after beating Switzerland'The message to the Argentine people is that this is a soccer match,' Scaloni said. 'We're going to face a great team with a great coach, but it is just a soccer match, nothing more than that.'England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford sounded a similar note. 'It is just a game of football and two passionate sets of fans going there to watch a top-level game,' he said. 'That's what football does. It brings fans together, it brings the nations together and it'll be, it's two proud nations, that's, that's the key word, and we're both proud nations. The football will do its talking.'A heavy police presence will be visible outside each team hotel while there will be a major focus in the area around the spectacular Mercedes-Benz Stadium which is where many of the fans are expected to congregate.All of England's games in the US have so far felt like home matches but it will be a different story when they return to Atlanta than it was for their clash with DR Congo in the Georgia city.There is a huge Argentinian diaspora in the US, with thousands due to travel to the game from Florida. Officials expect a 50-50 situation in the stadium, but England's fans may well find themselves outnumbered in the city itself.As Daily Mail Sport previously reported, there will be an increased number of law enforcement officers on patrol, while attention will be paid to the fan fest, which will be screening the France versus Spain match on Tuesday.🚨🇦🇷 Argentinos e ingleses se AGARRARON A LAS PIÑAS en las tribunas durante el partido entre Inglaterra 🏴 y Noruega 🇳🇴. pic.twitter.com/PaisRe72MW— Alerta en las Calles 🏙📢 (@AlertaArgNews) July 12, 2026 In 1986, Argentina defeated England 2-1 in a Mexico World Cup quarter-final, when Diego Maradona scored the infamous 'Hand of God' goal when he punched the ball past Peter Shilton.A small team from the UK Football Policing Unit is in the US, will be on the ground in Atlanta and has been successfully liaising with local law enforcement agencies.In keeping with the rest of the tournament just four arrests were made around the England versus Norway game. One was for trying to gain entry without a ticket, one was a fan who refused to leave when asked to do so and two were around a disturbance between two England fans. Police have again praised the behaviour of an estimated 30,000 who supported the Three Lions at the game.How much is David Beckham set to pocket from his World Cup brand deals? Take on our quiz in our newsletter HERE
