You don’t just wake up on match day; you build to it. The week before, you’ll see a gardening center inexplicably selling giant inflatable lions. Your local supermarket will have a “World Cup BBQ” aisle that is just sausages and six different kinds of crisps. The real question isn’t the date—it’s whether you’ve sorted the snacks.
Where to watch England's first World Cup game in Lincoln - Lincolnshire
By the time the anthems play, you’ve already argued with your dad about who should start upfront. That’s the charm. The first match isn’t just a game; it’s a collective nervous breakdown dressed up in a polo shirt.
The “Where Were You?” Factor
Everyone remembers where they were for England’s first match, even if they pretend they don’t. It might be in a pub with a sticky floor and a shaggy dog that barks every time the ball goes near the goal. Or it’s on your sofa, with a packet of biscuits you swore you’d only have one of. Spoiler: you finish the packet.
There’s a specific type of silence that falls during the first game. It’s the silence of a thousand collective prayers. Then, a goal happens, and you spill your drink because you’ve somehow forgotten how to function. It’s chaos, but it’s our chaos.
