Flashscore survey reveals 47% of UK fans predict England will reach 2026 World Cup Final

• Top Final Matchup: England vs. Spain (33%)
• Squad Sentiment: 60% believe the current team is better than previous ones
• Format Concerns: 54% of skeptics believe a 48-team tournament is driven by money over quality
• Night Owls: 75% of young fans will watch England matches after midnight

New research from Flashscore, the global leader in live sports information, reveals a surge in optimism among UK sports fans ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Despite logistical challenges and a new tournament format, nearly half of the nation believes England are set for a run deep into the tournament.

The study, which surveyed 2,000 UK sports fans, found that 47% predict England will reach the final. A heavyweight showdown against Spain emerged as the most anticipated final pairing, voted for by 33% of respondents.

Confidence in the squad This optimism stems from high regard for the current national team. More than 60% of fans believe the current England lineup is of higher quality than previous World Cup squads, with 23.3% rating it as “much higher”. Fans identified experience in key positions as the team’s primary strength, though concerns regarding injuries and player fatigue remain.

Generational divide over changes to format However, the research also reveals clear divisions over some of the most significant changes to the 2026 tournament.

The introduction of multiple host nations – spanning the USA, Canada and Mexico – is particularly contentious. While over half of younger fans support the move, only 22% of those aged 55 and older are in favour. More than half (51%) of UK fans who think the decision is bad cite increased costs for supporters as a key concern.

Similarly, expansion to a 48-team tournament splits opinion along generational lines. While 66% of 18-24-year-olds support the change, 44% of over-55s believe it is a bad decision.

The majority of UK fans that think the expanded format is a bad decision believe the expansion has been driven primarily by commercial considerations, rather than improving the quality of the competition

Midnight matches and fan loyalty The 2026 tournament will feature unconventional kick-off times for the UK, but younger fans are ready to adapt. Over 75% of 18–34-year-olds say they will “definitely” or “probably” watch England matches live, even if they start after midnight. This figure drops to 17% among those aged 55 and older.

The survey also confirms that while national pride is high, club football remains the primary driver of daily engagement. The England national team ranks as the sixth most popular “team” in the UK, trailing behind several Premier League sides. However, individuals remain icons: captain Harry Kane tops the list of favourite male players, followed by Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Cole Palmer, and Jude Bellingham.

Despite the growing prominence of the European Championships, 58% of UK fans believe the World Cup delivers a higher overall quality of football, compared to just 10% who favour the Euros. Interest in the tournament is already high, with 60.1% of men and 53.2% of women planning to follow the competition “extremely closely”.

View the full survey here: World Cup Survey 2026 UK