Tonight England will take on Team USA in their second fixture of the World Cup 2022, fresh off a 6-2 victory over Iran on Monday.
Fans across the country will be raising a beer and chanting football tracks as they cheer on the Three Lions, but how many will stop to wonder why the England squad has this nickname - and where it came from?
As the iconic Baddiel and Skinner song says, 'Three Lions on a shirt...' and it will come as no surprise to most that the nickname is of course a reference to the badge on the England football kit.
The badge, which features three blue lions vertically in a row and is also dotted with roses, has remained with the national team for 150 years ever since England's first fixture against Scotland in 1872.
But the team's nickname may have come about a little earlier in 1863, when the English Football Association was founded, as the three lions badge is also the official emblem of the FA.
It's interesting that lions are picked, considering the animal is not native to this country - but they do have historical ties to our royal family and are seen as a symbol of bravery and strength.
The three lions currently have a link to King Charles III, as the Royal coat of arms of the UK features three golden lions on a red background to represent England.
The coat of arms is traditionally used to identify the person who is Head of State and can be seen on the Royal Standard, which is flown when the monarch is in residence at one of the Royal Palaces or used on the King's car during official journeys.
Additionally, the arms are used in the administration and government of the country and appear on coins, in churches and on public buildings. They also feature on the products and goods of Royal warrant holders.
The three lions symbol as we know it today has been used by the royal family for over nine centuries, with the first documented use by King Richard I in 1189.
The former monarch, who reigned until 1199, opted for three golden lions on a red banner to represent different areas - England, Normandy and Aquitaine, the domains ruled by the Plantagenets in the late 12th century.
However, others have attributed the lion design to earlier kings - including William the Conqueror and Henry II, as both also used lions in their emblems.
Did you know this? Let us know in the comments below.
