Beer flowed and cheers were constant in bars across Manhattan, New York, USA, on 28/6, as the England national team defeated Panama 2-0 in the 2026 World Cup tournament.
"I was at Smithfield Hall for 9 hours straight", said Michael Jennison, 32, a supporter from Manchester, England.
The English tourist arrived at the bar to watch the match with others, immersing himself in the festive atmosphere until midnight.
On 23/6, he spent 1,000 USD on tickets to cheer on his home team against Ghana in Boston. England drew 0-0 in that match. Despite the result, he stated the money was "worth it".
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English supporters cheered at Smithfield Hall after England's victory over Panama. Photo: NYP |
At Jones Wood Foundry, the atmosphere shifted from loud singing to an optimistic but cautious mood. "As England fans, we are always a bit realistic", commented Ed Furnell, 42, an English native living in Brooklyn, USA.
Ed also admitted that his group were "very pessimistic supporters" and "quite sad when Scotland was eliminated".
Vincent Nash, 41, originally from London and now living in New York, watched the match at MetLife Stadium before heading to Foundry for a beer.
"Everyone was waving national flags and joking playfully with each other", he shared about the bar's atmosphere after England's win. English supporters filled the pub, all having a good time and occasionally shouting in unison: "Come on, England".
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Bars in Manhattan were packed with English supporters celebrating. Photo: NYP
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Many tourists arrived early to watch the match together. Photo: NYP
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English flags were hung in the bar. Photo: NYP
Fans even threw beer into the air when Jude Bellingham opened the scoring in the 62nd minute, after a goalless first half.
Shortly after, captain Harry Kane doubled the lead, marking his 11th goal in World Cup finals – a record that surpassed former Tottenham Hotspur striker Gary Lineker's 10 goals.
More than 15,000 English supporters traveled to New Jersey to watch the match live, while millions more followed the game from home. In bars across England, many supporters dressed as knights, carried Saint George's flags, and painted their faces red and white to join the celebrations.
Many started drinking beer long before the kick-off whistle, with an estimated 40 million glasses of beer consumed in homes and pubs on the night of the England - Panama match.
Thousands of bars in England opened later than usual to accommodate the big match, after many secured special licenses.
British retail giant Voucher Codes estimated that people would spend 272 million USD on food and drinks for home parties, with another 137 million USD spent at pubs.
However, some supporters remained unsatisfied with the match. Adam Alfandary, 39, born in London but now living in New York, said: "The match was quite dull but we won".
"Although the performance was not entirely convincing, we topped the group", shared Joe Timms, 29, from Oxford, England.
Anh Minh (According to DM, NYP)
