City Hall is planning a major screening of the World Cup final in London if England beat Argentina on Wednesday night. The O2, which showed the UEFA Euro final to about 20,000 football fans in 2024, has been earmarked as the venue that will host the watch party on Sunday. An announcement is expected straight after the match if the Three Lions are victorious at the Atlanta Stadium.
Previous Screenings and Fan Complaints
England fans have complained that no public screenings have been organised in the capital for previous fixtures. The last time the men's team reached the World Cup semi-finals in 2018, City Hall and the Government ran a ballot that allowed 30,000 people to claim tickets to watch the game on big screens in Hyde Park. But that coincided with summer music events in the park and little extra organisation or additional infrastructure was required. Trafalgar Square also hosted watch parties for the Euro semi-final, which was played at Wembley.
England's Path to the Final
England face Argentina following a dramatic 2-1 win over Norway in extra time on Saturday night. The winner of the match will face Spain in the final on Sunday. England has been handed a major selection boost for the semi-final, as Declan Rice has shaken off illness in time to make himself available. The Three Lions’ influential vice-captain has had to battle fatigue, a stomach bug, calf issues and long-term neural pain in his hamstring and lower back during England’s eventful run to the last four in North America this summer.
Plans for Victory Parade
Mayor Sadiq Khan wanted to encourage “Londoners to join together on Wednesday night in the capital's pubs, clubs, bars and hospitality venues to cheer on England to victory while supporting the hospitality industry”, City Hall said. It comes as officials begin preliminary plans for a victory parade through the city if Thomas Tuchel’s men win the final on Sunday. Tuesday has been identified as the most likely day for a celebration procession. City Hall, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Westminster Council and the FA are all involved in the organisation of a parade. They will have to plan for it to draw one of the largest crowds for a sporting celebration that Britain has ever seen.
