England aim to put a smile back on the face of a nation with a World Cup that ‘brings real happiness’.
Manager Gareth Southgate said his side were aware of the difficulties faced by millions back home due to the recession. “Our challenge is to give our supporters a tournament that’s memorable,” he said ahead of our opening game against Iran in Qatar.
“We’ve taken them on fantastic journeys. Our country is going through a difficult spell. We're in the middle of an economic recession.
“Life has been difficult for a lot of our people.
“So we want them to enjoy their football and have a journey with the team that brings some real happiness.”
Captain Harry Kane is ready to take a yellow card and risk a World Cup ban by wearing the rainbow armband in support of the LGBT+ rights, alongside the captains of other European teams, including Wales.
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If he were to receive two yellow cards in our opening games, he would be banned for the third. But the FA are in talks with FIFA amid ‘confusion’ over the rules.
At least 3,000 England fans are expected in the 60,000-seater Khalifa International Stadium, boosted by thousands of expats based in the Middle East.
Another 2,400 Wales fans have made the 3,400 mile journey for the other Group B game against the USA.
Millions of fans will watch in offices, restaurants and bars for the early 1pm kick off UK time.
After a series of controversies in Qatar over beer sales, migrant workers and human rights, Southgate said the country expects the team to now focus on football.
He confirmed the players will take the knee as a ‘strong statement to young people around the world, that inclusivity is very important.”
On the risk of a Fifa sanction over the armband, Kane said: “We have made it clear as a team. I want to wear the armband.” On our run of bad form, he added: “The last six games has made us stronger and more hungry.”
Iran’s boss Carlos Queiroz said they faced the best England team since 1966.
Three Lions fans joined a sea of team colours from around the globe at Doha’s Hamad airport.
They mixed with scores of supporters from Wales, Ecuador, America, Iran, Mexico, Brazil, Serbia and Argentina.
Around 1.2m supporters from 32 nations will come together for a historic tournament, the first in the Middle East, and the most expensive at £185bn.
It is the first time fans have converged on one city, with the eight venues half an hour from each other on the new Metro system.
Superfans Brian Geddis, 63, and Gary Bown, 62, booked the QEII for a month in Dubai, with two-nights on the MSC Europa in Doha.
Army veteran Brian, of Stafford, said: “We are pushing the boat out! It will cost a lot of money, but it is worth it.
“We met in Russia - we were called Dad’s Army there. We are here until Dec 21 whatever happens.” Semi-retired textile boss Gary, 62, of Leicester, has spent £10,000 on his £4,000 business class flight, a £4,500 shared cabin on the QEII, £1,000 for two nights on the MSC Europa and flights to and from Dubai for the games.
“You get to see places you would never have seen,” said Gary, a veteran of every tournament since the 2010 South Africa World Cup.
Joking about the last minute ban on alcohol sales at the grounds, he said: “I think that I can go 90 minutes without a beer.”
Brummie brothers George and Alex Field will proudly fly an Aston Villa England flag. George, 30, who works for a retro games company, told how they had spent £3,000 each on a 10-day trip including £1200 accommodation, plus £1,000 each on flights.
“It is my first ever World Cup so it is all new to me,” he said.
Dedicated Three Lions fans Brian Robson, 60, of Ashington, Northumberland, Mark Trigg, 48, of Derby, and Ian Dandy, 50, and Ian Holland, 68, of Bognor Regis, are with England fans FC group.
They have followed England around the world for years, with team founder Garford Beck, 60, of London. Three Lions supporter Jaime Castillo, 33, a flight attendant, arrived from Miami, in his Man Utd shirt.
"I have tickets for all of the England group games,” he said. “I think they will win the group.”
Wales fan Rhys Griffiths, 41, a headteacher from Nottingham who flew to Qatar with his son Sid, 11, and father Glyn Griffiths, 73, a retired bricklayer from Pontypridd, said: ‘We booked flights and accommodation when we qualified in June, and it was an opportunity for three generations to get out here and watch a World Cup for Wales.”
Asked how he managed to miss work, he said: “Well, it’s my school, I run it.”
Iran fans and twin brothers Lavi and Saeed Hamid, 34, from the city of Mashha, were part of a 10-strong group who had spent £25,000 on tickets and accommodation. “I can’t believe that we cannot get a drink at the grounds,” said Lavi.
"We have spent more than 30,000 US dollars to be here. What a bad decision not to let fans have a drink before the game.” He backed Iran to beat England 2-1.
Mexico fans in Sombreros posed with dancing Brazilian fans who gyrated to a beatbox. Santiago Lopez, from Tijuana, spent 7,000 US dollars to see his side play against Argentina.
He drove from Mexico to LA, then flew to London where he danced with England and Wales fans at Heathrow airport. “I had to get some fish and chips,” said Santiago, a Liverpool fan. “And some really fantastic ales.
“I was singing with the England and Wales boys, but I have no idea what the words were. I was stoked. I am going to see France v Australia, Holland v Cameroon, Japan v Germany, Brazil v Serbia and Spain v Costa Rica.
“I am staying in a camper van, and a shipping container.” Mexican Victor Montano, 57, is already taking home the World Cup trophy - he has a replica on his hat, built at home in San Francisco.
Meanwhile Wales captain Gareth Bale told of his greatest ever honour - leading his country into their first World Cup in 64 years.
Bale, 33, a five-times Champions League winner with Real Madrid, said on the eve of their opening game against the USA: “Probably the biggest honour for me is to qualify for the World Cup.
“It is something we have not done for 64 years. Schools will stop and kids will have a holiday, fortunately for them. It is a massive piece of history and we have the support of the whole nation.
“For Wales to be at the World Cup... it is the best thing you can do for your country, to grow football and inspire a generation.
“No matter what happens as long as we give 100 percent our country will love us for that.”
