Newlyweds Lauren and James Portwood have flown to Dallas to spend their honeymoon cheering on the England football team in the 2026 World Cup. The couple, who married earlier this month, are among thousands of England fans expected to support the Three Lions in Texas.
A Special Honeymoon Plan
James, 36, an accountant, decided to whisk his new bride, Lauren, 41, who works in customer services, to the United States to support Thomas Tuchel's men. The couple, both Leicester City fans, live in West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire, and have four children: Lexi, 17, Elise, 16, Teddy, six, and three-year-old Charlie. They have been planning this honeymoon since their engagement in 2024.
Lauren said: "England winning today would be the best wedding present ever!" James added: "It's going to be a very special few days."
World Cup Experience
This is James' third World Cup but Lauren's first. James said: "If England get to the final we've actually got guaranteed tickets so we will definitely be coming back if they go all the way. We are big England supporters so we managed to get our tickets at face value. After the match we are heading to Las Vegas on Friday for a few days before we head back to England."
The couple got married at Makeney Hall in Derbyshire on June 3. Lauren joked: "It was a tactical decision!" referring to the honeymoon timing.
England Fans in Dallas
England will be supported by a traveling army of 10,000 fans coming 'across the pond'. FIFA bosses believe another 15,000 or so ex-pats have snapped up tickets to turn the Dallas Cowboys stadium into Wembley. England fans arrived in Dallas by planes, trains, and automobiles.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer led the good wishes, saying: "Tonight, we can dare to dream again because we have a brilliant Three Lions squad, packed with all the talent and experience to get that second star on the shirt. Like every England fan, I'll be roaring on Thomas Tuchel, Harry Kane, and the entire England squad. Come on England."
A Heartwarming Dallas Story
Yesterday Mirror Online revealed another lovely heartwarming Dallas family story. David Beckham may be the former England captain and one of the most well-known footballers in the world, but it was right here in Texas that David Beckham started his road to fame. For one week, Beckham's 'mum' was a lovely kind Mexican-American woman who called him 'Little Davie'. When he was 13, he stayed in a small rundown house belonging to Christine and Sam Alcala here in Dallas, just a stone's throw away from where England kick off their world campaign.
Becks signed his very first autographs here when he was staying with the Alcalas on a football exchange trip. Incredibly, they've still got the scarves he signed. Of course, he went on to become one of the most successful players of all time, sitting next to Tom Cruise at a World Cup match at the weekend. To his 'mum' who looked after him that week, he was simply 'Little Davie'.
