A total of 59% of Gen Z supporters in England said they were proud of the men’s national team, ahead of millennials on 52%. Across English adults overall, the figure stood at 50%.
That support gives Harry Kane and his teammates an important backdrop before Wednesday’s meeting with Croatia at Dallas Stadium in Arlington. For younger fans, this England side represents more than a collection of players: it is a shared national experience, carried through social media, watch parties and tournament memories still being formed.
The challenge for England is to turn that enthusiasm into belief once the competitive action begins.
Sabine also said: “Sport has an amazing ability to unite all communities and nations. We should all be immensely proud of our national teams and we are all ready to cheer them on.”
That message matters in a tournament spread across the United States, Mexico and Canada, where England’s matches will become meeting points for supporters at home and abroad. Public screenings also appear to have broad backing, with 49% of people across Britain supporting local authorities funding or organising them.
The wider home-nations picture is complicated. Scotland recorded an even higher level of pride in its team, while attitudes towards England vary across Britain. Yet once England begin their campaign, the focus will narrow to the players in white and the supporters demanding a performance to match their optimism.
England’s younger supporters have offered an encouraging vote of confidence before a ball is kicked. The next step is for the team to give that audience moments worth carrying forward.
Croatia will provide the first test, and the response from Gen Z could become one of the tournament’s most compelling storylines.