THE Three Lions are on the brink of football glory.
After and in their last two matches, the squad has been .
It’s Kane vs Messi as England take on Argentina in a do-or-die World Cup 2026 semi-final this week Credit: AFP
As they prepare to face ‘s in , fans are wondering whether Kane and co will once again be faced with a suffocating summer climate in Atlanta.
With millions tuning in at home and thousands of fans descending on America, could an extreme climate derail ‘s dream on Wednesday (15 July)?
What is the local weather forecast for the game?
The weather forecast for Atlanta on Wednesday predicts a 70% chance of light rain with a maximum temperature of 29°C.
A humidity level of 77% is forecast, and there’ll be barely any breeze to help things feel cooler, with predictions of a top wind-speed of just 3mph.
The Mercedes-Benz Stadium – known simply as the Atlanta Stadium for World Cup purposes Credit: Getty
Is the Atlanta Stadium air conditioned?
The Atlanta Stadium (the Mercedes-Benz Stadium outside of the World Cup) is a multi-billion pound sci-fi masterpiece that is fully equipped to keep the heavy drama on the pitch completely ice-cold.
It boasts a futuristic eight-panel retractable roof that opens and closes smoothly like a giant camera aperture.
It’s one of only three stadiums in the tournament capable of air-conditioning its massive seating bowl.
When the decision is made to shut the roof, it completely seals the entire bowl into a fully climate-controlled environment.
The stadium fires up a high-efficiency 8,600-ton industrial cooling plant alongside a dozen air-handling units that pump cold air over the pitch and into the stands.
The incredible engineering feat insulates the turf from the outside elements, trapping the cooler air inside so that players can sprint, press, and tackle for 90 minutes without melting.
How hot could it get during the game?
Outside of the stadium is likely to be a different matter, however.
For the thousands of England supporters travelling out for the game, stepping outside is going to feel like walking headfirst into a giant hair dryer.
July in the region is notoriously heavy, with thick humidity ready to greet fans the second they step off the local MARTA transit rail lines.
Staying hydrated is going to be critical, and ticket holders are being advised to dress lightly and drink plenty of water before entering the venue.
But because the stadium itself completely locks down its internal climate, the oppressive outdoor heat won’t have any impact on the action on the pitch.
Will the weather affect the game?
With the mechanical roof tightly closed and the air conditioning units blasting out cooled air, the climate outside should have zero impact on the game itself.
The stadium bowl is expected to maintain a crisp indoor temperature, allowing England to function at maximum capacity without the fear of heat illness.
Despite the comfortable temperatures, the controversial will remain for England’s clash.
Ahead of the tournament, Fifa ruled the breaks must happen in all 104 matches, regardless of the actual .
It doesn’t matter whether it’s a scorching midday clash or a game inside a fully enclosed, ice-cold air-conditioned arena.
says this ensures equal conditions for every team, but critics suspect it’s a way to with extra commercial slots.
Each hydration break lasts three minutes from whistle to whistle, and they are scheduled to happen midway through each half.
In the first half, the ref will stop play around the 22nd minute, and in the second half, the action freezes around the 67th minute.
The clock does not stop, the game simply pauses – referees calculate the exact three minutes lost and add it onto the end of each half.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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