Bet St George has published new research claiming four in ten England fans expect the Three Lions to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The betting brand said the poll of 1,000 England sports fans was conducted between 15 and 18 May 2026, with the tournament set to start on Thursday.
In the survey, 40% of respondents said they expect England to lift the trophy in North America this summer. Optimism is highest among 25 to 34 year olds, where 67% backed England to win.
The research also points to a broader national narrative around the team. Nearly three-quarters (72%) of fans agreed that the England team brings the nation together. Separately, 26% said a World Cup win would rank among their top three most important life events, rising to 31% among men.
Regionally, Bet St George said England sports fans living in Scotland were the most confident cohort in the dataset, with 77% backing England to win and 96% agreeing the team brings the nation together. Greater London also skewed optimistic (53% backing England; 36% placing a win among their most important life events), while Yorkshire and the Humber was more cautious (31% backing England; 19% ranking a win as a top life moment).
Andre Au, Marketing Director at Bet St George, said: “England has one of the most passionate sporting audiences in the world, but for a long time, it was the only nation in the UK without a sportsbook built around its own identity.
“We created Bet St George because supporting England is different. World Cup fever hits massively once the squad is announced. For England, it is the expectation. It’s all about the previous hurt, penalty shoot-outs, the build-up, the predictions, and the debates with your mates. The whole nation feels that this tournament might finally be the one.”
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