West Bridgford residents are divided over England’s World Cup prospects.
The town is gearing up for the nation’s arrival on the international stage next summer.
The 2026 World Cup will run from June 11 to July 19 and will be the first expanded 48-team edition.
England came through qualification perfectly, winning all 10 of their matches without conceding.
And were then drawn in group L alongside Croatia, Ghana and Panama.
The tournament will be played in the United States, Canada and Mexico – with experts warning that high temperatures, wildfires and even hurricanes could affect teams.
And one resident feels the heat will play a big part in England’s chances.
Rob Birkett, 50, said: “It won’t be easy, the heat will be a problem.
“But it’s draw dependant, I think we’ll get to the quarter-finals.”
England last won the World Cup in 1966 but have a good track record in recent major tournaments.
The men’s side have reached at least the quarter-finals in each of the last two World Cups and European Championships.
And former semi-professional footballer Ray Head, 83, thinks England will do well.
He said: “I think we’ve got an easy draw.
“Croatia might be the one that’s hardest but I don’t think it’s a bad draw.
“Looking at the qualification, I think we’ll go quite a way.
“This year there’s 40-odd teams but I think they’ll do quite well.”
West Bridgford has a rich history of sport.
Nottingham Forest’s City Ground, Notts County’s Meadow Lane and Nottinghamshire County Cricket’s Trent Bridge are all in the town.
Forest have not had a representative in an England World Cup squad this millennium.
But the Reds’ Elliot Anderson is expected to be part of Thomas Tuchel’s squad next summer, giving residents even more reason to be excited.
England are well backed to succeed at the tournament, being second favourites to lift the Jules Rimet trophy.
And the Three Lions’ prospects have been boosted by Fifa’s announcement that if the top four seeds – of which England are one – all win their groups, they will be kept apart in the bracket until the semi-finals.
This would mean England would not face Spain or Argentina until the last four and would not meet France until the final.
