Around 30,000 England fans are due to converge on Miami by Saturday, joined by thousands of Norway supporters, for a World Cup quarter-final that has turned Ocean Drive into a football carnival. Pool parties, Viking rowing celebrations, and flags from Huddersfield Town adorn the art deco hotels, creating a spectacle unlike anything Miami has seen.
Fans spend big for a 'life memory'
James Shipperley, from Uxbridge in west London, travelled with his 15-year-old son Freddie, spending £1,500 each on tickets. 'You have to break the bank but it's a life memory, isn't it? It's something special to come here with him. What's the point of working if you can't do stuff like this?' he said, after testing the 'muscle beach' outdoor gym.
Pool parties and late nights
A pool party at the Clevelander Hotel on Friday afternoon was expected to attract 600 England fans, with a scheduled finish time of 4am. 'It's going to be a heavy night,' said John Gallivan, a Bristol Rovers supporter who has been travelling since 3 June following England's campaign. He described the Mexico City match as 'bucket list stuff, just unreal'.
Haaland threat divides opinion
Erling Haaland, with seven goals in four games, looms large. Neil Barker, a Leeds fan living in Denver for 20 years, said: 'That's the big question isn't it? But he's been stopped in the Premier League before and the players know him. It's all up for grabs.' Others are more confident: Sean, from Derby, predicted 'Haaland will be in Dan Burn's pocket.'
Norway fans bring the Viking row
Norway fans, led by Ole Frøystad (aka 'Mr Row Row'), planned two 'viking row' sessions on South Beach. Haakon, from Stavanger, predicted a 2-1 win: 'Man for man England have the edge on us but we've got bigger team spirit. You can't put this experience into words.'
Unifying power of the World Cup
The tournament has brought people together. Sean and Katie, who met in Boston after England's draw with Ghana, reunited in Miami. 'The celebrations, the fun and joviality, everything has been brilliant,' said Sean. Katie, an American, added: 'They're welcoming me and including me in all their experiences.'
