In a complete reversal of recent history, German football fans have decided to back countryman Thomas Tuchel’s new team at the World Cup. It remains to be seen whether English fans repay the favour…
England will have an unlikely new army of support at the World Cup – from Germany. Though traditionally our football rivals, many Germans have declared the Three Lions their ‘second team’ at the summer soccer showpiece.
That is due to a mutual appreciation of its German manager Thomas Tuchel – and darts. If Germany does not lift the trophy most will want one of their countrymen to have masterminded a World Cup victory – even if it is for an old rival.
Others are already planning to take the mickey saying the only way England could end 60 years of hurt since its last triumph was with a German in charge.
But whatever the motive it means England’s Lions can expect a monster amount of support.
The unlikely alliance emerged at a reception hosted in London by the German ambassador to the UK Susanne Baumann.
The Daily Star was one of a handful of British newspapers invited following our coverage of Germany’s new obsession with darts during the recent world championship at the Ally Pally.
After a record eight Germans qualified for this year’s tournament a legion of fans from Deutschland are set to dominate the crowd when the tournament moves to a bigger new venue inside the Alexandra Palace next year.
Officials were so impressed with our front page warning of the invasion – in German – they have posted it on the wall of their London Embassy.
And we were singled out for praise by officials and members of the German press for helping unite the nations.
One leading German broadcaster said: “England can expect a whole lot of German support at the World Cup.
“If Germany can’t win we will be hoping England do.
“After all we have so much in common – we love beer, football and darts.
“And you have a German manager.”
A high-ranking diplomatic source said: “We have noticed a huge groundswell of support for England.
“Let’s face it if Germany can’t win we might as well have a German manager lift the World Cup.
“You may have Luke Littler in the darts but we’ve got Thomas Tuchel.”
Tuchel, 52, who hails from Krumbach in Bavaria, could be grateful for the support of his fellow Germans after a rollercoaster relationship with England fans.
Following his appointment two years ago he said sorry for holding a German passport and he hoped to win over doubters by leading the team to the World Cup.
That did not stop a stream of anti-German sentiment on social media which led to Three Lions terrace anthem writer David Baddiel stepping in on X to tell Tuchel’s critics to ‘f*** off’.
The manager was then the subject of terrace taunts after criticising England fans’ silence during a 3-0 Wembley friendly victory over Wales in October.
When the Three Lions played Latvia to seal their World Cup qualification a few days later supporters chanted at the boss: “We’ll sing when we want, we’ll sing when we want, Thomas Tuchel, we’ll sing when we want.”
They then switched to: “Are we loud enough for you?”
Before adding sarcastically: “Our support is f****** s***.”
Tuchel claimed he loved it, saying: “I got some stick in the first half. Fair enough and well done. Good sense of humour. It was brilliant support from start to finish.”
England’s football rivalry with Germany stretches back to 1966, when the Three Lions won the trophy at Wembley – but since then the team has been on the receiving end of more heartbreaking defeats than wins.
However, under Tuchel England stormed to the 2026 World Cup finals in sensational style winning all eight qualifying matches to finish top of their group by 10 points without conceding a single goal against Albania, Serbia, Latvia and Andorra.
Last week impressed FA chiefs announced they were extending Tuchel’s contract – which was due to run out at the end of the World Cup – until 2028.
“We Germans…we know how to get results,” said one TV broadcaster at the reception.
“Just maybe der fußball kommt nach hause.”
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