A survey commissioned by Bet St George has found that 40% of England supporters believe the Three Lions will win the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The research, conducted between 15 and 18 May 2026 among 1,000 England sports fans, provides an indication of supporter sentiment ahead of the tournament and one of the busiest periods of the year for sports betting operators.
Confidence was highest among younger supporters, with 67% of respondents aged 25 to 34 predicting that England will lift the trophy. Across all age groups, 72% said the England national team brings the country together.
The survey also found that 26% of respondents ranked an England World Cup victory among the three most important events in their lives, ahead of milestones such as passing a driving test or graduating from university. Among male respondents, that figure increased to 31%.
Regional differences were evident throughout the study. Greater London recorded the highest level of confidence, with 53% of supporters expecting England to win the tournament. In Yorkshire and the Humber, 31% shared that view.
One of the survey’s more unusual findings came from England supporters living in Scotland. According to the research, 77% of this group believed England would win the World Cup, while 96% agreed that the national team brings the country together. Both figures were higher than the national average.
The study also explored perceptions of English culture beyond football. When asked to identify England’s greatest export, 24% selected football, ahead of music and the Royal Family, which each received 19%.
Bet St George launched in March 2026 and positions itself around English sporting themes, with football and horse racing forming a central part of its offering. The operator’s survey was released ahead of the start of the World Cup in North America.
Andre Au, Marketing Director at Bet St George, said: “England has one of the most passionate sporting audiences in the world, but for a long time, it was the only nation in the UK without a sportsbook built around its own identity.
“We created Bet St George because supporting England is different. World Cup fever hits massively once the squad is announced. For England, it is the expectation. It’s all about the previous hurt, penalty shoot-outs, the build-up, the predictions, and the debates with your mates. The whole nation feels that this tournament might finally be the one.”
