England’s long-awaited 2026 World Cup campaign finally gets under way on Wednesday as the Three Lions face Croatia in Dallas, six days after the tournament officially began.
For thousands of loyal England supporters who have travelled across the Atlantic, the wait is almost over.
While Thomas Tuchel’s side prepare for their opening group match, a sea of St George’s Cross flags has already begun appearing across Texas as supporters gather in bars, fan zones and city centres ahead of kick-off.
The Football Association’s official England Supporters’ Travel Club sold its entire allocation of 4,022 tickets for the Croatia clash, but the true number of travelling fans is expected to be far higher.
The United Kingdom Football Policing Unit estimates that between 12,000 and 15,000 England supporters will attend each group-stage fixture, while fans from England have purchased around 89,000 tickets across the tournament as a whole.
Many supporters have travelled without tickets, determined simply to be part of the occasion and support their country.
One fan from Kenilworth said:
“We are here in the USA and already loving the atmosphere. We went to a bar last night and had the Americans singing Three Lions. We can’t wait. This is our year.”
Another supporter said:
“My brother and his mate have got tickets, I’m still trying to get one. But there was never any question of staying at home. England are at the World Cup and that’s enough reason to be here. Everywhere you go you meet fellow fans flying the flag, singing the songs and believing that this team can make history.”
Their commitment reflects a tradition that has followed England teams around the globe for generations.
From Germany in 2006, when hundreds of thousands of England supporters made the journey across Europe, to South Africa, Brazil and Qatar, England fans have consistently ranked among the most passionate and dedicated in world football.
This year, however, many have had to dig deeper into their pockets than ever before.
Ticket prices for England’s opening match have sparked controversy among supporters. Official prices ranged from approximately £198 to £523, significantly higher than equivalent group-stage matches at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Those unable to secure tickets through official allocations have been left searching FIFA’s resale platform, where prices have risen dramatically in recent weeks.
Some tickets have reportedly appeared for resale at several times their original face value, with supporters expressing concern that football’s greatest tournament is becoming increasingly inaccessible to ordinary fans.
Despite the cost, enthusiasm among England supporters remains undiminished.
Many have travelled thousands of miles, spending heavily on flights, hotels and match tickets for the chance to follow the Three Lions on the world stage.
As kick-off approaches in Dallas, optimism is growing among supporters who believe this England squad could finally deliver the success that generations have dreamed of since the nation’s historic triumph at the 1966 World Cup.
Whether inside the stadium, in fan zones or packed into bars across Texas, thousands of England supporters will once again do what they have always done, follow their country with pride.
For many, the journey has already been worth it.
Now they hope the football will be too.
The Three Lions face Croatia tonight (Wednesday, June 17) and kick-off is 9pm (UK time).
Main Image: AI image of Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium for illustration purposes only.
