Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Politics
Rachael Burford

Major London World Cup screening planned if England make Sunday's final

City Hall is planning a major screening of the World Cup final in London if England beat Argentina on Wednesday night.

The O2, which showed the UEFA Euro final to about 20,000 football fans in 2024, has been earmarked as the venue that will host the watch party on Sunday.

An announcement is expected straight after the match if the Three Lions are victorious at the Atlanta Stadium.

England fans have complained that no public screenings have been organised in the capital for previous fixtures.

England fans react after watching the UEFA Euro 2024 final between Spain and England at the O2 Arena (AFP/Getty)
England fans react after watching the UEFA Euro 2024 final between Spain and England at the O2 Arena (AFP/Getty)

The last time the men's team reached the World Cup semi-finals in 2018, City Hall and the Government ran a ballot that allowed 30,000 people to claim tickets to watch the game on big screens in Hyde Park.

But that coincided with summer music events in the park and little extra organisation or additional infrastructure was required.

Trafalgar Square also hosted watch parties for the Euro semi-final, which was played at Wembley.

England face Argentina following a dramatic 2-1 win over Norway in extra time on Saturday night.

England’s Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane and Dan Burn sing Wonderwall after the quarter-final win against Norway (PA Wire)
England’s Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane and Dan Burn sing Wonderwall after the quarter-final win against Norway (PA Wire)

Mayor Sadiq Khan wanted to encourage “Londoners to join together on Wednesday night in the capital's pubs, clubs, bars and hospitality venues to cheer on England to victory while supporting the hospitality industry”, City Hall said.

It comes as officials begin preliminary plans for a victory parade through the city if Thomas Tuchel’s men win the final on Sunday.

Tuesday has been identified as the most likely day for a celebration procession.

City Hall, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Westminster Council and the FA are all involved in the organisation of a parade.

They will have to plan for it to draw one of the largest crowds for a sporting celebration that Britain has ever seen.

England has been handed a major new selection boost for Argentina World Cup semi-final.

Declan Rice has shaken off illness in time to make himself available for the showdown against Argentina.

The Three Lions’ influential vice-captain has had to battle fatigue, a stomach bug, calf issues and long-term neural pain in his hamstring and lower back during England’s eventful run to the last four in North America this summer.

The winner of the match will face Spain in the final on Sunday.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.