The anthems of both England and Argentina were barely audible inside the Atlanta Stadium on Wednesday, as thunderous noise from the stands overwhelmed the pre-match ceremony ahead of their FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final.

Supporters from both sides packed the venue, creating an atmosphere so loud that the national anthems of each team were effectively drowned out before a ball was kicked.

The clash represents one of the most eagerly anticipated fixtures in world football, with England and Argentina meeting at the semi-final stage of a World Cup for the first time in decades.

The Atlanta Stadium, one of the marquee venues for the 2026 tournament, provided a fitting backdrop for the occasion, its capacity crowd generating noise levels that made the pre-match anthems almost impossible to hear.