England vs Argentina Match: 'Highest Risk' of Tournament, Wa

The FBI has classified the upcoming match between England and Argentina as the "highest risk" of the tournament, prompting security to be beefed up in Atlanta as thousands of fans arrive in the city.

The warning comes as tensions between the two sets of supporters continue to escalate. Scuffles have already broken out between rival fans, and there are fears that Argentinian 'ultra' football thugs could be heading to the US. In fact, isolated clashes between rival fans in Miami last week were reported when England beat Norway.

The shadow of the Falklands War hangs over the clash, as does Diego Maradona's infamous 'Hand of God' goal that knocked England out of the 1986 World Cup. The Argentine squad has not helped matters with footage of them chanting about 'Las Malvinas, por Diego and por la ultima de Leo', meaning 'For the Falklands, for Maradona and for Lionel Messi's final World Cup'. This has dragged one of football's most volatile rivalries straight back to the 1982 conflict.

Security has been increased for the match, with separate entry gates for the two sets of supporters at the 68,239-capacity Atlanta Stadium. However, officials are trying to promote some of the city's bars as 'England' and others as 'Argentina' to keep supporters apart. Stewards have been told to confiscate flags that depict the Falkland Islands in Argentine colours or describe them as the Malvinas.

Gary Lineker, a former England player, has refused to back down over his use of the word Malvinas on his The Rest is Football podcast. Responding to criticism, he said: 'I don't see why that is an issue really. That's what they call it in Argentina. So, it's just a factually correct term.' The government in Buenos Aires is liaising with its UK counterparts, the FBI and local police to prevent trouble. Argentina's foreign minister, Pablo Quirino, has revived its claim on the Falklands, adding to the tensions.

The match between England and Argentina is set to take place at the Atlanta Stadium, with seats on Fifa's re-sale site priced at up to $3,700 (£2,700). The event is shaping up to be one of the most intense matches of the tournament, with both sets of supporters eager to see their team take the win.