THE Sun today issues a rallying cry to the Three Lions as the World Cup gets under way.
In an open letter, we urge , and all the boys to do the nation proud and end 60 years of hurt. Come on England!
The England squad line up in Florida with high hopes of making the nation proud and bringing home the trophy Credit: FA
Three Lions captain Harry Kane is in the form of his life and will be hoping to lead us to victory Credit: Getty
Dear England,
You carry the dreams of a nation that’s had it tough, and
we believe in you.
Never forget you are lions… it’s time to roar!
They call it soccer — but for us it is always . And as your studs press into American soil you carry with you the passion, hope and dreams of a nation in love with The Beautiful Game.
Sixty years since Alf Ramsey’s boys lifted that gleaming Jules Rimet trophy at a packed out Wembley Stadium, it is your time to shine.
God knows we’ve had enough years of hurt.
Our island nation has had it tough, to put it mildly.
Not a week goes by, it seems, without some atrocity that tests the mettle of our proud country.
All the butchery and violence on our streets shames us.
We have suffered.
But we have celebrated too.
Thanks to YOU.
Bukayo Saka, Eberchi Eze, , — champions of England.
Ollie Watkins, , , — champions of Europe. And Harry Kane — Europe’s top goalscorer and champion of the .
Already your actions have brought the country together.
Look at the crowds who greeted you as you toured our cities in open top buses.
Thousands of people of all creeds and colours, standing side by side, cheering your names, united by a love for their club.
We are all proud of you. Every single one of you.
And we believe in you.
An England team assembled by a manager from Bavaria. Our new guiding force in what we hope will be our finest hour since Alf’s army defeated West Germany, from where hails, back in 1966.
In Tuchel we trust.
To build on Sir Gareth Southgate’s sterling efforts.
To push you that extra mile, all the way to New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium on July 19.
You can do it. Never forget you are lions. It’s time to roar.
As you will show the world over the next 39 days, England will not cease from mental fight.
Croatia, Ghana, Panama. They won’t know what’s hit them.
So hey Jude, don’t make it bad. Take a sad England and make it better.
And captain Kane, hear our cry “God for Harry, England and St George”.
Bring FOOTBALL home.
ENGLAND’S lions roared a warning to the globe on World Cup eve.
With the warm-up games now over, Thomas Tuchel’s boys stand ready to do battle for footballing immortality.
And captain Harry Kane described the soccer spectacular — which kicks off today — as his best-ever chance to get our fans singing Sweet Caroline at the July 19 final.
Thomas Tuchel’s boys now stand ready to do battle for footballing immortality Credit: Getty
Star player Bukayo Saka has already tasted glory this season with Premier League champions Arsenal Credit: Getty
The Sun has also written an open letter to our lads to help inspire them to finally repeat the World Cup-winning heroics of 1966.
It may now be 60 years of hurt but we have not stopped dreaming.
Our note is an updated version of Gareth Southgate’s rousing letter to the nation before the Euro 2020 tournament.
It inspired an award winning play and the recent drama about Southgate’s challenge to turn around England’s fortunes after being dumped out of the 2016 .
Building on his legacy, there is no doubt that Kane and co will be the best prepared England squad ever to compete in a World Cup.
They have spent 11 days acclimatising in the heat and humidity of Florida, undergoing high-tech monitoring and conditioning and playing in two testing warm-up games.
They will fly to base camp in Kansas City on Saturday where meticulous coach Tuchel can fine-tune his battle plan for the opener with Croatia on Wednesday.
The mood in the squad was said to be “relaxed but determined” — and it showed as they posed for a hotel photoshoot in the Florida sunshine yesterday.
Jude Bellingham will hope to play a crucial role as England go for glory Credit: Getty
Jordan Henderson (left) and Dan Burn (right) jog alongside captain Harry Kane in the US Credit: AP
Their growing belief is also firing up World Cup fever back home — and thousands are set to fly out to cheer them on.
striker Kane is in the form of his life and believes he has never had a better chance of winning football’s greatest prize.
He goes into his third World Cup after firing an incredible 67 goals for club and country this season. Kane, 32, said: “I feel in my prime, as good as I’ve ever felt.
“This is my third tournament and I would probably just say, the shape I’m in and also coming off the back of the season I’ve had, it’s probably the best opportunity I’ll get to win the World Cup.”
His dream of lifting the golden trophy in New Jersey on July 19 was backed by a string of pundits yesterday — led by .
The ex-England and hero said: “England and will make the final — and hopefully England will win it.”
Former Spurs and boss said: “A lot of people are saying it is or Spain, but for me it is between and England, and I am saying England!”
Ex-Arsenal and England defender added: “My head is telling me the best team is France.
Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers were in good spirits despite the pair competing for a place in the starting line-up Credit: Getty
England veterans Jordan Henderson and Harry Kane are all smiles during a training session Credit: AP
“My heart is telling me that it could be England.”
Even former star Pat Nevin made them favourites with France, and added: “It’s a toss-up between the two.”
Former Three Lions goalie predicted: “England. But I am not actually that bothered whether I am right or wrong. I just like to back my people and I want England to do it.”
The opening game between and will kick off the longest and booziest soccer party ever should England go deep.
Market experts say an extra 600 million pints could be downed if and the boys reach the final.
Afternoon and evening kick-off times and the participation of both England and Scotland will boost consumption.
An estimated 280 million pints are due to be knocked back in , plus 320 million at home, according to trends analysis.
Some 3.5 million are also expected to be tossed in the air — if all goes well.
Around 31 million fans will watch at home, with 12 million in pubs, it is claimed.
Overall, it is forecast that Brits could splash out up to £3.8billion during the tournament, to be held in the US, Mexico and .
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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