England take on World Cup holders France on Saturday night armed with the “belief” they can win.
A TV audience of 26.9 million is expected to watch the quarter-final.
And last night Harry Kane and Gareth Southgate both spoke of the team’s confidence England could lift the Cup for the first time since 1966.
Team captain Kane said: “Belief has been building and building.”
England’s World Cup match tonight will give the economy a £281million boost and lift the spirits of a nation struggling through a bitter winter.
Almost half the population of England is expected to watch the showdown with France on TV, 21.1 million at home and 5.8 million in pubs and restaurants.
In Qatar, 8,000 Three Lions fans will be in the 68,895-seat Al Bayt stadium. Around 3,000 bought tickets through the FA fan club.
Last night, moments before World Cup favourites Brazil were knocked out by Croatia, Gareth Southgate and Harry Kane spoke passionately of their “belief” in England to win the tournament.
Kane said: “Belief has been building and building and now we are believing we can win it.
“Maybe more belief than 2018.”
Manager Southgate said he hoped the match would bring “millions of people together”. He said: “We want to give them another night to be proud of.”
David Beckham will be in the Al Bayt stadium, as will I’m A Celebrity champ Jill Scott, the Euro 2022-winning Lioness who is England’s second-most capped footballer of either sex.
She is convinced England will beat France, telling the Lions Den FA YouTube channel: “Player for player, I think we’re better.”
Ashley Brown of the Football Supporters Association paid tribute to the loyalty of fans, many of whom are paying thousands to see their team.
He said: “It is the most expensive tournament ever. But the game against Senegal really livened up the atmosphere out here for England games. Once they got going the team was really fantastic.”
Last night, tickets were being offered by touts for up to £9,000 each. There were 679 being offered on the resale website Ticombo.
Some sold for £2,500. The Live Football Tickets site claimed to have 622 tickets for the game. Some tickets were being sold for £400 each, while hospitality packages were being offered for £7,000 per person.
Nurse Sarah Weston, 31, a Southampton fan, has joined the growing scramble for tickets in Doha, with some last-minute online sales. She went to all the group games and said: “I will get there if I can.”
At Doha’s B12 Beach Club, Nicole Haddon, 22, of Clapham, South West London, said: “We take our hats off to England – they’re more than capable of bringing home the World Cup.”
University of Manchester student Lucy Harrison, 22, said: “The Three Lions will win with style.
“We’re best going forward and attacking.”
The match could boost beer sales by six million pints, according to the British Beer and Pub Association, which hopes the 7pm kick-off will encourage punters to visit their local to watch.
It thinks the game will deliver a £26m boost to the sector.
Emma McClarkin, of the BBPA, said: “This slot will hopefully deliver good trade for pubs.”
VoucherCodes.co.uk predicts the game will boost retail spending by £151m, with £104m spent on food and drink, £23.5m on sportswear, and new TVs, £19.7m spent on souvenirs and another £71m spent in pubs.
Raheem Sterling returned to Qatar yesterday in time for the France game. He came back to the UK last Sunday after his Surrey home was burgled.
He returned to comfort partner Paige Milian, 27, and their children Thiago, five, and Thai Cruz, three.
Raheem, 28, looked relaxed in training at England’s Al Wakrah HQ.
While the team were preparing to take on France, Harry Maguire ’s wife Fern, his sister Daisy and Jack Grealish ’s sister Hollie let their hair down at a Robbie Williams concert in Doha.
Conor Gallagher ’s girlfriend, Aine May Kennedy, was also at the gig.
