England v DR Congo
FIFA World Cup 2026, Rd of 32
Atlanta Stadium
Atlanta, Georgia, USA
1 Jul 26
There was no official programme for FIFA WC 26 but the FA did produce a matchday poster for each game played by the free lions, available on England@England on X
Official Souvenir ticket
Official FIFA WC Host City Poster
ESTC applications for England's Round of 32 game in Atlanta against DR Congo were oversubscribed. There were 3837 applicants for 3000 tickets in the following categories: 750 x Cat 1, 750 x Cat 2, 1050 x Cat 3 and 450 at Cat 4. Luckily I qualified for the lowest category of ticket (Supporter entry/Cat 4) which was $60 (£45). In all it was outrageous ticket pricing from FIFA
The Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) opened in 2017 and is located in downtown Atlanta, just a short walk from the MARTA stations at GWCC (Georgia World Congress Centre) or Vine Street. The stadium has a capacity of 70,000 and is home to the Atlanta Falcons in the NFL and Atlanta United in the MSL. The stadium had the honour of hosting 8 WC games, including the controversial Semi Final between England and FIFA and VAR's favourite team (Argentina):
15 Jun 26: Spain 0 v Cape Verde 0 (Group C)
18 Jun 26: Czechia 1 South Africa 1 (Group A)
21 Jun 26: Spain 4 Saudi Arabia 0 (Group C)
24 Jun 26: Morocco 4 Haiti 2 (Group C)
27 Jun 26: DR Congo 3 Uzbekistan 1 (Group K)
01 Jul 26: DR Congo 1 England 2 (Rd of 32)
07 Jul 26: Argentina 3 Egypt 2 (Rd of 16)
15 Jul 26: Argentina 2 England 1 (Semi Final)
Attendance: 68,239
Man City's Marc Guehi on the front of #203
On 29 Jun I flew on Delta flight DL2312 from Newark to Atlanta arriving 1653 local time. I took the MARTA from the Airport to Candler Park and walked the rest of the way
After a good chat with the host's wife (Lingping) I made my way to Candler Park Market
Tacos, mexican rice and beans 💓
Day 2: Stone Mountain and Little 5 Points
The largest Confederate Memorial in the USA is carved into Stone Mountain. It features three Confederate leaders returning from battle: President Jefferson Davies and Generals Robert E Lee and Stonewall Jackson
The carving is gigantic, measuring 90 ft x 190 ft
Stone Mountain Memorial Hall and Museum
The Skyride cable car takes you to the top of the mountain and once at the summit you can follow the trail down
The most eerie thing about Stone Mountain is its links to the Ku Klux Klan. The Klan had its second incarnation on top of the mountain on 25 Nov 1915 when Methodist preacher William J Simmons led 15 men up the mountain, burned a cross and declared the KKK reborn.
For decades after, the mountain was the Klan's ceremonial home and was known as the 'Imperial Palace' and the main venue for rallies and initiations
Dr Samuel Green, the Grand Dragon of the Georgia Klan on ceremonial duty at Stone Mountain
Back in Atlanta and everyone is focused on the World Cup
The giant Mercedes Benz logo has been hidden from the stadium and replaced by FIFA
WAYMO - the driverless robot taxi
It gets me to the Brewhouse at Little 5 Points not a very social experience but quite funny
DCFC and friends big meet up to watch the France v Sweden and Mexico v Ecuador
Derby legends
Our Colombian Amigos
Day 3 - Matchday in Atlanta (WC and MLB)
The Mercedes Benz Stadium glittering in the sun
Miss Congo was not available so I got a snap with this happy couple from the DRC
Me and my British Ex Pat mate from the West Country. Stu now lives in St Petersburg, Florida and has his own yacht
The Eagle has landed
This mural is called 'Atlanta is Beautiful' featuring Dr MLK, John Lewis, the Carters, Andrew Young, Bernie Marcus and Hank Aaron. It includes the Atlanta landmarks: Fox Theatre, Ponce City Market and Piedmont Park
View from the upper concourse
Millwall's Dave Balster and Fez
Blackburn Rovers finest - Andy Allen
Stadium announcer is warming things up
The scene is set
The retractable roof consists of 8 triangular panels
It's England v Dr Congo, come on 👊
Zooming into a pocket of Congo fans
Silence in the England end as Congo take the lead on 7 mins with a decent strike at the near post from Cipenga
On 86 mins the captain wraps it up with a great strike
At last I find Miss Congo
After the game I felt a bit of heat stroke so had a little sit down with a beer and some tacos before heading to the Fan Fest
Big Steve in downtown Atlanta
I meet up with Long Eaton Steve at 'Stats'
After a few celebratory drinks we head to Truist Park, the home of the Atlanta Braves
Party in the park
Oasis tribute band to warm us up
St Louis Cardinals @ Atlanta Braves
There is quite a big England contingent at the game, most of whom benefited from cheap tickets and a free T shirt
Atlanta Babes
Atlanta, we will be back in Peach State soon
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