Prince William spoke candidly about his passion for football and England’s prospects in the upcoming World Cup during an appearance on the New Heights podcast hosted by NFL star Travis Kelce. The conversation aired shortly before Kelce married singer Taylor Swift in New York.
The 44-year-old Aston Villa supporter revealed that his love for football was not inspired by his father, King Charles, whom he described as someone who "hates football." William explained that his interest in the sport developed through friends and experiences at school rather than family tradition, noting the relatively limited football history within the royal household.
Discussing some of his favorite English players, William named David Beckham, Gary Lineker, Harry Kane, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney, and Bobby Charlton as key figures who have shaped his appreciation of the game. He praised Beckham’s crossing ability and suggested Kane has the potential to become one of England’s greatest strikers. The prince expressed particular affection for the generation of players including Gerrard, Lampard, and Rooney, describing them as a group he was “really hopeful for” and “absolutely love[s].” When reminded that he had effectively singled out a lineup worthy of knighthood, William responded with a lighthearted, “I try to, yeah!”
The discussion also touched on cultural contrasts experienced by England’s football fans traveling to the United States for the World Cup matches in cities such as Dallas, Boston, New York, and Atlanta. William noted the differences in beer tastes, joking that English drinkers are formidable competitors when it comes to handling their beer. He also acknowledged the importance of the pub atmosphere in English sport, though he cautioned that some chants from the terraces might be too “spicy” or rude for broader audiences.
As the Football Association Patron, William reiterated his commitment to supporting the team and expressed plans to attend the final if England advances that far. He praised coach Thomas Tuchel’s offensive strategy, expressing confidence that the team’s attacking style will serve them well. “If we lose, we lose playing the way we want to play,” he said. “If you’re going to score four goals, we’ll score five. And I think that’s a really good attitude.”
Despite setbacks in previous tournaments, William acknowledged that “a little bit of hope gets chipped away” but insisted he remains “quietly confident” about England’s chances this year.