England fans fill pubs across UK as match countdown begins

England supporters are filling pubs up and down the country as anticipation builds for the Three Lions’ World Cup quarter-final showdown with Norway.

The fixture is scheduled to get under way at 5pm in Miami, which is 10pm in the UK, with Thomas Tuchel’s side aiming to book a place in the semi-finals.

Tens of thousands of fans have made the trip to the United States to follow England in person, while millions more are expected to tune in from fan zones, pubs and homes across the country.

Pubs and bars have been allowed to remain open until 2am, or until 30 minutes after the final whistle, with an estimated 42 million pints expected to be poured during the night.

There had been concerns that extreme heat could force a delay to the match, but the game is currently expected to kick off as planned.

In Newcastle, at least 1,700 England fans are expected to crowd into a fan zone, where organisers anticipate around 4,000 pints will be served before kick-off.

Briony Young, 32, manager of WeAreFanZones, said England matches are always a major draw, but that today’s event sold out in record time.

‘Even though it’s a bit drizzly and overcast, a little bit of rain won’t put us Geordies off.

‘There’s been a real party atmosphere in the city all day. Everyone is confident that we can get the job done and march into the semi-final.’

Crowds were buoyed up before the game as a DJ spun an England playlist including World In Motion, Three Lions (On A Shirt) and the Fat Les hit Vindaloo.

A rendition of Wonderwall also rang around the fan zone before kick-off.

Supporters, wary of still being hungover come Monday, chanted: ‘Please don’t take me home, I just don’t want to go to work.

‘I want to stay here and drink all the beer.’

Sunderland fan Jamie Rothwell took his girlfriend Danielle, 37, for a ‘romantic’ night out to watch the Three Lions.

The salesman, 40, said: ‘Is there anything more romantic than Harry Kane putting England in the semi-final of the World Cup?

‘To my mind, it’s the perfect date night.’

Second-year sports student James Mason, 19, said: ‘I think we will win 3-1 with Bellingham and Kane to score. I think it’s inevitable that Haaland will score.

‘I’ve put a tenner on it, which will bring in £290. If that happens, we’ll be out until Monday.’

Friend George Dean, 19, added: ‘We’re going to be out all night, drinking all the beers because it’s coming home.’

Cameron Armstrong, 26, with Chantelle Christensen, 26 and Jenni Armstrong, 23, said: ‘I think if we can stop Norway from scoring first, we will do well. It’s about keeping Haaland quiet.

‘Hopefully Dan Burn will have him in his back pocket.’

Tonight is anticipated to be the busiest night for pubs since England’s 2018 World Cup semi-final. 

An audience of 17 million is expected on ITV, plus five million on ITVX, the highest ratings since a combined 24.2 million watched the Euro 2024 final. 

Excitement is also building outside the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami where England fans have gathered. 

Ryan Dougan said he believed the Three Lions have a chance of going all the way in the World Cup.

Commenting on how optimistic he was for the Three Lions in the tournament, he said: ‘I’m getting bullish.

‘I don’t think, France aside, I don’t think anyone’s looked significantly better than us.

‘We’ll deal with France if we get them in the final, but I think we can beat anyone.

‘One game at a time, let’s go.’

Another England supporter said he fancies the Three Lions’ chances more against Norway than he would have had Brazil progressed to the quarter finals.

Max Gill, 27, from London, said: ‘I think they’re (Norway) going to probably sit deep.

‘I wouldn’t fancy us more against Brazil, to be honest – they’d come out and attack.

‘So, I’m still relatively confident, but a bit wary of Haaland on the counter.

‘So, maybe 1-0 and then just sit back after.’