More than eight in 10 England fans are going with their head rather than their heart – predicting the World Cup campaign will end in disappointment.
The majority think the Three Lions have little chance of repeating their run at the Euros two years ago, where they narrowly lost to Spain in the final.
Almost a third (30 per cent) think they’ll only make it as far as the quarter finals and just 27 per cent reckon they’ll reach the final.
While only 16 per cent believe they will win the tournament.
Outside of their home team, France is the top choice among England fans (16 per cent) to take home the famous trophy, followed by Spain (13 per cent) and Brazil (10 per cent).
But it’s not just England fans who are following their heads as almost one in 10 (nine per cent) Scottish followers admitted they are backing their Three Lions rivals to take the top spot.
It also emerged England fans believe the two last European championships in 2020 and 2024 were the Three Lions’ best chance to win a major title, with the strength of other teams (38 per cent) and player form (29 per cent) the biggest concerns this summer.
Brian O’Keeffe, spokesperson for BOYLE Sports, which has a range of World Cup offers [https://www.boylesports.com/sports/football/competition/international-world-cup], and commissioned the research of 1,965 football fans from England, Scotland and Ireland, said: “Fans’ loyalty runs deep, but this World Cup we’re seeing just how much that loyalty is being tested by a more practical view of the tournament.
“Most supporters will always want their country to go all the way, but when it comes to making a prediction or placing a bet many appear to be thinking with their heads rather than their hearts.”
The study also found for 36 per cent of England fans, only a tournament win would be considered a success, but one in twenty (five per cent) will be happy if they simply make it out of the group stages.
Although 38 per cent think England fans have an unrealistic idea of the team’s chances of winning.
As a result, 26 per cent admit they would be likely to back an opposing side if they thought their own team had a good chance of losing.
But only 37 per cent of those would admit to their bet to their friends – although 38 per cent would happily spill the beans only if it won and 14 per cent would come clean if they were asked directly.
If England are knocked out of the World Cup, the study, carried out via OnePoll, found the largest percentage (16 per cent) of fans would switch their support to home rivals Scotland.
Others would cheer on Brazil (nine per cent), France (nine per cent and) and Spain (nine per cent).
But far from wishing them out of the tournament, 21 per cent of Scotland fans claimed they would support the Three Lions if their own team was knocked out before them.
When it comes to choosing which back up team to support, 26 per cent of England fans would simply opt for the one with the players they like the most, while 21 per cent would go for the underdog with a good story.
Brian O’Keeffe added: “For England fans, years of near misses seem to have created a more realistic mood this time around, with plenty questioning whether this squad has enough to go one step further.
“That tension between hope and expectation is what makes major tournaments so compelling - fans want to believe, but they also know how quickly the picture can change.”
TOP 10 TEAMS ENGLAND FANS WOULD SUPPORT IF ENGLAND ARE KNOCKED OUT OF THE WORLD CUP
1. Scotland
2. Brazil
3. Spain
4. France
5. Portugal
6. Argentina
7. Germany
8. Netherlands
9. Australia
10. Canada
