England rugby moves hotel in Buenos Aires to dodge Cup party

England's rugby team has relocated its Buenos Aires hotel to avoid potential travel disruptions from World Cup celebrations as Argentina's national football team prepares for the final. The decision follows a night of massive public festivities after Argentina defeated England's football team 2-1 in a semifinal match on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. Hundreds of thousands of fans gathered at the Plaza de la República and the iconic Obelisk monument, directly outside the hotel where the rugby squad had been staying.

Fireworks and street parties continued into the early hours of Thursday, with noise so intense that hotel staff issued earplugs to players and erected steel fencing as a security precaution. England head coach Steve Borthwick acknowledged the disruption, noting fireworks were still audible at 4 a.m. He described players watching the spectacle from the hotel terrace, calling it one of the experiences of touring. The team is currently in Santiago del Estero, approximately 600 miles northwest of the capital, for a rugby Test match against Argentina's national team, the Pumas, on Saturday, July 18.

With Argentina set to face Spain in the football World Cup final on Sunday,...