The weather could cause travel disruption for the England and Argentina squads ahead of their World Cup semi-final in Atlanta on Wednesday. The BBC has forecast the chance of thundery showers in the area before kick-off at 2pm local time, with further storms possible around 4pm, 5pm, and into the evening.
However, the match itself at Mercedes-Benz Stadium is unlikely to be delayed, as the venue features a fully enclosed retractable roof that will be closed for the game. The 68,239-capacity stadium is also air-conditioned, protecting players and spectators from the searing Georgia heat and humidity, which could feel as high as 38 degrees Celsius.
Concerns about travel remain after England’s journey to the Estadio Azteca for their last-16 win over Mexico was delayed by an hour due to storms in Mexico City. The teams will travel from their hotels to the stadium before the match, and any severe weather could affect their schedules.
England and Argentina renew their historic rivalry in the semi-final, their first competitive meeting since the 2002 World Cup group stage when David Beckham’s penalty secured a 1-0 win for England. The most recent encounter was a friendly in 2005, where a Michael Owen brace gave England a 3-2 victory.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi has never played against England in his 205 senior international caps, having been suspended for the 2005 friendly after a red card on his international debut. The match kicks off at 8pm BST (3pm local time) in Atlanta.
