England fans have packed out pubs across the country for the Three Lions’ World Cup quarter-final clash against Norway.
The match kicked off at 5pm in Miami (10pm UK time) – with Thomas Tuchel’s men looking to secure their place in the final four.
While thousands of supporters have travelled stateside to watch England play, millions more are watching screenings of the game at fan zones, pubs or in their living rooms.
Bars have been given permission to stay open until 2am or until 30 minutes after the final whistle blows – with 42 million pints expected to be downed.
There were concerns that the match could be delayed due to extreme heat but it is currently scheduled to start on time.
At least 1,700 England supporters have packed into a fan zone in Newcastle – and get through 4,000 pints before kick-off.
WeAreFanZones manager Briony Young, 32, said: ‘It’s always busy for every England game but today’s sold out in record time.
England fans gather in Newcastle ahead of kick-off for the match against Norway
England supporters get ready to cheer on their team at Stack at St James’ in Newcastle tonight
Fans proudly display England flags at Stack at St James’ in Newcastle tonight
Bars have been given permission to stay open until 2am or until 30 minutes after the final whistle blows – with 42 million pints expected to be downed
‘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.
England supporters get ready to cheer on their team at Stack at St James’ in Newcastle
Fans watch a screening of the quarter-final match between Norway and England at The Prospect Building in Bristol
Cameron Armstrong, 26, with Chantelle Christensen, 26 and Jenni Armstrong, 23, with their pitcher of beer in Newcastle
England fans are already drinking pints as they gather ready for kick off
Bars have been given permission to stay open until 2am or until 30 minutes after the final whistle blows – with 42 million pints expected to be downed
At least 1,700 England supporters are set to pack into a fan zone in Newcastle – and get through 4,000 pints before kick-off
Fans hold drinks as they get ready for kick-off at 10pm this evening
‘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.
Fans party at The Prospect Building in Bristol for the match tonight
Excitement is also building outside the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami where England fans have gathered
England fans outside Miami Stadium ahead of the match against Norway
England fans decked out in their kit take selfies outside the stadium in Florida
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.’
