All eyes may be on the pitch when England men's team line up for their opening World Cup game against Croatia in Dallas — but it's their fancy threads, as well as their fancy footwork, that has had people talking. Gone are the days of the traditional three-piece suit. Instead, the squad arrived in the US in baby blue Nike tracksuits, having worn a pale grey Palace tracksuit to a pre-World Cup friendly against Costa Rica. Their official off-duty smart casual look, a 12-piece navy and cream collection from Marks & Spencer — the FA's official partner — features no ties and is accessorised with loafers. A collaboration between Nike and skateboarding brand Palace saw many items sell out within days of launch.
Celebrity stylist Alex Longmore, who has worked with stars including Vogue Williams and Little Mix, said the overall vibe was "quite commercial" and "very Tom Ford, very Bond". "It's relaxed, it's incredibly wearable, it's aspirational," she said. "It's not shouting mega-formal, 'we're the England squad and here we are feeling a bit awkward because we're sportsmen'. It's more like luxury." Marian Kwei, a celebrity stylist and Vogue contributor, said the modular look was "designed with players in mind, but more importantly to push the narrative of individuality and style".
“England face Croatia in Dallas for World Cup opener, with a new off-pitch fashion line but familiar on-pitch concerns.”
But while the fashion has drawn praise, the on-pitch form has raised familiar doubts. England won both of their final pre-World Cup warm-ups in Florida — a 1-0 win over New Zealand designed as a leg-stretcher, with 22 players each playing a half, followed by a 3-0 dismissal of Costa Rica, who have not qualified for the tournament. Yet earlier friendlies against Uruguay and Japan in March offered nothing to suggest England are about to end their 60-year wait for a major trophy. England failed to beat either side, with football described as "stodgily unimaginative" and many players missing through injury. The grim sense of familiarity evoked comparisons to the bad old days before Gareth Southgate.
With bookmakers, England are third favourites to win the World Cup. Manager Thomas Tuchel, a German Anglophile who clearly loves London, has been praised for his ability to effect rapid change and formulate solutions. His squad selection has been controversial, with balance and specific roles mattering more than reputation. But the question remains whether he can overcome the cycle of failure that has plagued England for decades — a cycle the March friendlies suggested may still be in place.