Prince William tells England to 'hold heads high'
Retold by Oddsrama · 16 July 2026
England's World Cup dream came to a heartbreaking end in the semi-finals as Argentina secured a 2-1 victory in Atlanta, with two late goals turning the tide after a dominant first-half performance from the Three Lions. Anthony Gordon had given England the lead in the 55th minute following a goalless opening period, but Argentina's ability to strike when it mattered most proved decisive and sent them through to face Spain in the final.
Prince William, the Football Association's patron, wasted no time offering his support to the squad despite the crushing defeat. In a statement shared by Kensington Palace, he described himself as "gutted" by the result but praised the team's resilience and character throughout the tournament. The royal's backing—signed off as "W" to confirm it came directly from him—highlighted what he called the "most complete England team in a tournament," urging the players to "hold your heads high." It's a reminder of how invested the future King has become in English football, regularly spotted backing Aston Villa.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer echoed the sentiment of national disappointment, calling the loss one England "all hoped for" a different outcome on. However, he also acknowledged the squad's all-out effort and the pride their performances have generated across the nation. From a betting perspective, England's exit removes them from the tournament's remaining markets, though their strong showing throughout the competition—particularly the attacking prowess displayed by Gordon and others—suggests the core of this squad could bounce back in future tournaments with renewed confidence.
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