England fans back Three Lions glory as World Cup fever grips the nation

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup gets underway, new research from Bet St George suggests England supporters are approaching the tournament with a high degree of confidence.

The bookmaker's survey found that four in ten England fans believe the Three Lions will lift the World Cup trophy this summer. This shows the optimism of Gareth Southgate's successors ahead of the competition in North America.

The survey was conducted between 15 and 18 May and asked the opinions pf 1,000 England sports fans. It gives us an idea of supporter sentiment at a time when betting activity is expected to increase significantly.

Younger fans show strongest belief

Overall confidence stands at 40%. It’s England’s younger supporters that have the highest beliefs in the squad, however.

The survey showed that 67% of fans aged between 25 and 34 expect England to win the tournament. This makes them the most optimistic age group. The findings also suggest that England's national football team is important culturally too. Almost three-quarters of respondents (72%) agreed that the England side helps bring the nation together.

Some fans say the emotional significance of a potential  World Cup triumph is important to them. More than a quarter of supporters (26%) ranked an England World Cup victory among the three most important moments they could experience in life. This increased to 31% among males.

Andre Au, Marketing Director at Bet St George, said England's football culture creates a unique atmosphere around major tournaments.

He noted that anticipation builds rapidly once the squad is announced, with discussions around selection, predictions and past disappointments becoming part of the national conversation.

Scotland records surprising support

One of the survey's more unexpected findings emerged from England supporters living in Scotland.

Among this group, 77% predicted England would win the World Cup. This makes them the most confident regional audience recorded in the study. Furthermore, 96% agreed that the England team helps unite the nation, well above the national average of 72%.

The results show how engagement with major international tournaments can transcend traditional regional rivalries.  

Regional differences

The research also revealed notable variations in confidence levels across England itself.

Supporters in Greater London were among the most optimistic. Here, 53% expect England to become world champions. Additionally, 36% of London respondents said a World Cup victory would rank among the most important moments of their lives.

Yorkshire and the Humber presented a more cautious outlook. Just 31% of respondents from the region believed England would win the tournament. Only 19% placed a World Cup triumph among their most significant life events.

The study also explored perceptions of England's wider cultural influence. When asked to identify the country's greatest export, football topped the list with 24% of responses. This was ahead of music and the Royal Family, which both received 19%.

With the World Cup now underway, Bet St George's findings suggest expectation levels remain high among England supporters. Whether those hopes are justified will become clear over the coming weeks as the tournament unfolds.

Key findings from the study