England fans have expressed confidence that the Three Lions will finish top of their World Cup group, having already purchased tickets and flights for a knockout clash in Atlanta. A goalless draw against Ghana on Tuesday means England must equal or better the African nation's result against Croatia to secure first place in the group when they face Panama in New Jersey on Saturday.
If England fail to better Ghana's result, they would play in Toronto instead, prompting some fans to say they will not make the trip to Canada. Richard Bean, a 51-year-old Manchester United fan from Manchester, told the Press Association: "Before the Ghana game, if someone says you can't beat Ghana, you can't beat Panama… I'm doubting why I'm even going if we can't beat one of those two." He added: "So fingers crossed for Saturday – I think it'll be like a home game, they've had the little blip against Ghana, they weren't quite as good, and then hopefully do what we did to Panama when we last played them in 2018. Then we'll be happy enough and off to Atlanta for a few days."
Captain Kane Expresses Confidence
After the draw, England captain Harry Kane said he was "pretty sure" the team would win against Panama, stating: "We, of course, want to finish with a win on the weekend, just for the momentum and the feeling among the group." His optimism was echoed by fans making the most of their trip to New York ahead of the game.
Chandler Hallwood, a 28-year-old Halifax Town fan speaking from Times Square, told PA: "Yeah, we'll go to the round of 32 – we've got our hotel and flights booked for the round of 32 already. We booked that before the tournament even started so we're confident we're going to top the group and get out there." He added: "I'm still confident – I'll never not be confident when it comes to England."
Fans Plan for Knockout Stages
Hallwood, who has lived in the US for several years, said he felt able to spend more on the tournament, booking trips to Atlanta and potential knockout ties in Mexico City and Miami. "I planned it years in advance that if they ever came to the US, I'm living here, so I thought I may as well spend the money while I'm here," he explained. "But I always said I was going to go ahead and do it and book the round of 32, and then Mexico afterwards, then it'll be in Miami the one after that. So kind of planned ahead – but hey, may as well plan ahead… the worst case that happens, you just don't go."
Despite planning for England to reach at least the quarter-finals, Hallwood said he would not attend games if the team finished second in the group: "No, I won't be going to Toronto. Toronto is one of my favourite cities around here – but yeah, we'll not be going to Toronto unfortunately. But never say never, who knows?" He noted that tickets cost him between $200 and $1,200, describing it as "a once in a lifetime, so might as well do it."
Other Fans Welcome Meaningful Game
Richard Bean similarly said he would skip Toronto if England finished second: "So we've got the last 32 after this – we had Boston last Saturday then the last 32 in Atlanta hopefully, because if it isn't Atlanta, we're not going. We've had to buy the tickets and the flights and this, that and the other. But if we do well and get to the final, we'll be back for that." He acknowledged the uncertainty: "Obviously, when you're booking, you don't know where you're going to be. It's just that not knowing. But the prices are such that we've just had to take a punt."
Other fans appreciated the draw against Ghana, as it ensured the Panama game was not meaningless. Phil Young, 58, from Blackburn, told PA from Grand Central Station: "When we found out about these tickets back in December, we were panicking that it was going to be a meaningless game. So to us, the draw the other night was actually quite a good thing for us, because it's the only game we're coming to. At least it means there's something on Saturday now. So I'm hoping for a goalfest, Kane to get a hat-trick, and I'll go home a very happy guy."
