On Wednesday, July 15, Lionel Messi’s Argentina takes on England in the World Cup 2026 semifinal in Atlanta, with a spot in the final on the line. The two sides haven’t met at a World Cup in 21 years, and it’s the first time in his career that Messi faces the Three Lions in this format. Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham carry England’s hopes on the other side. Kickoff is set for late afternoon local time at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Inside the stadium, the menu got an upgrade for the occasion. Molly B’s, a Southern-inspired chophouse tucked into a private lounge at the venue, now offers a $20 fan meal: a large drink, chicken and fries, a hot dog, a giant pretzel, a slice of pizza, plus chips and dip. Enough to get through a tense match without leaving your seat, and without blowing your budget either, in a stadium where the tab usually climbs fast on big match nights.
Outside, the city is bracing for both fan bases. Atlanta Magazine counted a dozen spots to catch the game, from proper English pubs to Argentine-style parrilla grills, covering everyone from fish-and-chips loyalists to die-hard asado fans. Fans from both countries were already mingling downtown on Tuesday, swapping predictions and memories of past meetings between the two nations.
Whoever wins tonight, the final is set for July 19. Until then, in Atlanta and across the host country, the World Cup keeps playing out in the stands and on the plate in equal measure.