Once in a while, a sovereign state is fortunate enough to send not one, but two national teams to the FIFA World Cup.
The United Kingdom is buzzing with excitement as both England and Scotland are represented at the 2026 World Cup. English and Scottish fans can expect thrilling matches in the group stage and, improbable but not impossible, a monumental showdown between the two teams should they advance deeper into the tournament.
England’s Recent World Cup History
While variants of football have existed throughout history, no nation on Earth has a footballing tradition quite as storied and longstanding as England’s.
The earliest references to football appeared during the medieval era, when rules were scarce and matches resembled organised mob riots. It was in 1888 that England established the world’s first football league, professionalising the sport and creating the first national system for developing talent.
England’s footballing heritage has led the nation to consistent World Cup appearances, including its victory in 1966, which remains etched in the country’s collective memory. Additionally, the global popularity of its domestic league, now the Premier League, has made England one of the most widely supported teams among international fans at the World Cup.
Now, English fans are hungry for another World Cup triumph. It has been 60 years since their last victory, and the desire to return to former glory has only strengthened expectations that 2026 could finally be their year.
English football fans have a formidable reputation, with 15,000 supporters flying to Dallas, Texas, just to watch this year’s opening match against Croatia.
Do not be surprised to hear chants of “It’s Coming Home”, accompanied by “Three Lions”, the 1996 song that has become an unofficial anthem for English supporters.
It is not entirely out of the question that fortune may favour England this year. The Three Lions have steadily improved their World Cup performances and have reached back-to-back UEFA European Championship finals in 2021 and 2024.
England’s women’s national team has also raised expectations with consecutive UEFA Women’s Euro victories in 2022 and 2025. This year’s World Cup may determine whether the balance of world football has finally shifted in England’s favour.
Scotland’s Recent World Cup History
The first football league may have been established in England, but the oldest football club was established in Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital, in 1824.
Since then, Scotland has made nine appearances at the FIFA World Cup. However, 2026 is particularly special as the Tartan Army returns to the tournament for the first time in 28 years.
Decades of pent-up excitement were already evident during Scotland’s opening match against Haiti, when supporters flooded into Boston, Massachusetts.
In a 2025 qualifying match, Scottish fans rejoiced as Scott McTominay’s overhead bicycle kick secured a dramatic late winner and, quite literally, kicked down the door to this year’s World Cup.
Scotland enters the World Cup as an underdog, but by winning its opening match, the team has put itself in a strong position to progress further into the knockout stages.
McTominay himself has become a footballing late bloomer. He has recently emerged as one of Serie A’s standout players after spending years under-appreciated at his previous club. He will be one to watch as both a key playmaker and goalscorer at this World Cup.
McTominay’s iconic bicycle kick now features on the new £20 banknote issued by the Bank of Scotland. If there was ever any doubt about the passion Scots have for their national team, Scotland has certainly dispelled it.
Three Questions with the United Kingdom’s Ambassador
His Excellency Nikesh Mehta, British High Commissioner to Singapore, kindly agreed to answer questions from Diplomatic Network (Asia) regarding both England and Scotland at the World Cup. DNA wanted to know how this unique combination of two national teams on the world’s stage has impacted the United Kingdom and whether this will compound the windfall effect of sports diplomacy.
Q: This upcoming World Cup is unique given that both England and Scotland have successfully qualified for the tournament. Within the British High Commission and across the UK, has this led to shared celebration, or is there a friendly rivalry surfacing between the two countries?
It’s been wonderful to see both England and Scotland qualify for the World Cup. Moments like this really do bring out a sense of shared pride across the UK. Having two teams on the global stage is a fantastic reflection of the strength and depth of football across our nations, and it’s something we are all genuinely pleased to celebrate.
Of course, it would not quite be the same without that familiar, friendly rivalry. There is a long history between the teams (and the nations), and a bit of good-natured teasing inevitably comes with that. It is part of what makes football in the UK so special. In many ways, it is a bit like siblings: there might be some banter and competition along the way, but ultimately you want each other to succeed and to do well in everything you do.
What is particularly nice is that this mix of pride and rivalry resonates beyond the UK as well. It reflects our diversity, our shared history, and the way sport can create both connection and excitement. So, while there may be slightly divided loyalties when it comes to match days, there is a wider sense of collective celebration in seeing both teams represent the UK on such a significant stage. I know I will be watching the matches of both teams whenever I can and cheering them both on.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have an England versus Scotland final on 19 July?
Q: English football has one of the largest global followings through the Premier League, and the National Team has a strong legion of foreign fans. From your perspective as both a senior diplomat and a lifelong football fan, how does this unique influence shape the cultural diplomacy between the UK and the wider world?
Football is one of the most powerful and recognisable aspects of British culture globally, and the Premier League in particular has an extraordinary reach. It is one of our great exports. Week in, week out, millions of people around the world tune in to matches, sometimes in the early hours of the morning, not just to watch football, but to engage with something that feels familiar and shared, regardless of where they are in the world.
From a diplomatic perspective, that creates a unique and valuable form of connection. Football provides common ground that can break down almost all barriers. It opens conversations, builds relationships, and creates a sense of familiarity that can sometimes be difficult to achieve through more traditional channels. You will often find that discussions about clubs, players, or memorable matches naturally lead into broader conversations about education, innovation, or trade.
Just a few weeks ago, the British High Commission hosted an inter-mission football tournament, bringing together colleagues and partners from across the diplomatic community here in Singapore. It was a simple idea, but an incredibly effective one. People from different countries, backgrounds and roles came together over a shared love of the game. The atmosphere was friendly and inclusive, and it created exactly the kind of informal connections that underpin strong and lasting relationships.
On a personal level, being both a diplomat and a football fan, I have seen how powerful that connection can be. It humanises interactions and makes the UK feel more accessible and relatable. It also reinforces the people-to-people links that sit at the heart of our international relationships. Football, in that sense, is much more than just a sport; it is a cultural bridge that helps bring people closer together.
Q: In recent years, efforts to make football more inclusive have led to historic milestones, highlighted by the tremendous success of England winning the 2025 Women’s Euros just last year. Aside from winning this year’s tournament, what new opportunities do the Men’s Teams have to inspire future generations and continue championing unity across the UK?
The success of the Lionesses, England’s women’s team, has been a truly defining moment. It has not only delivered silverware twice, but has also shifted perceptions, inspired participation, and demonstrated just how important inclusivity is to the future of sport.
The growth of women’s football has been incredible to watch. Women’s teams are now filling stadiums with larger crowds than ever before, and clubs are building purpose-built stadiums to accommodate supporters. The impact has been felt well beyond football, encouraging young people, particularly girls, to see new possibilities and to feel that the sport belongs to them as well.
The Lionesses’ success also has personal relevance for me. My brother has been their team doctor for the past 12 years.
What has been especially encouraging is how the Lionesses’ influence extends internationally. We are seeing inspiring cross-cultural connections through players like Singapore-born Erica Parkinson, the youngest player to be called up for international duty with the England Lionesses. Stories like hers highlight the increasingly global nature of the game and how the UK’s football ecosystem connects with talent and communities around the world. They also resonate strongly in places like Singapore, where a love of football can be seen among both boys and girls, and real momentum is building behind the development of the sport.
As we look ahead to the World Cup, the men’s teams have a real opportunity to build on that legacy. Of course, success on the pitch is always important, but the influence of these teams goes far beyond results. They are in a position to champion values such as teamwork, respect, resilience, and diversity, and to remind us of football’s unique ability to bring people together. Across communities, generations and borders, the game creates a shared experience that fosters connection and pride. Whether it is a young person picking up a ball for the first time or supporters coming together to cheer on their team, those moments matter.
The thrill of the tournament is always exciting, but if teams and players can inspire supporters and reinforce our shared values, their impact will extend well beyond the tournament itself. That, in many ways, is where the real legacy lies.
