Holden’s appearance provided a familiar soundtrack for England supporters. After Roberts switched from a United States shirt to an England top on air, Holden helped turn the moment into a live show of support.
She also posted a picture captioned “Team @thisisheart”, adding to the social-media push surrounding the national team before kickoff.
For fans, these moments can help create a sense of occasion before a major fixture. England matches are rarely confined to the stadium, with songs, shirts and shared rituals building anticipation long before the players walk out.
John Barnes offered a more spectacular version of the same message. The former England player appeared at the top of a London Eye capsule in a football shirt to perform “World In Motion” alongside the London A Cappella Collective.
Barnes said the song captured the confidence that follows England into major tournaments, while the performance was designed to take that feeling to another level. A special capsule, named Singing for England, also invited supporters to join in with a sequence of celebratory songs.
The combination of Barnes, music and one of London’s most recognisable landmarks gave the build-up a strong visual identity.
England’s meeting with Croatia will ultimately be decided on the pitch, but the atmosphere around the squad is already gathering momentum. The next storyline will be whether that public enthusiasm carries into the stadium - and, more importantly, into England’s performance when the match begins.