It’s been an era of relative success for England at major tournaments - certainly more success than those who remember the nineties and noughties know - but even with the highs of the Gareth Southgate era, England fans have also tasted disappointment.
We’ve been in Euro finals and World Cup semi-finals, and what has remained a constant has been the steadfast support and excitement in pubs across the city for those following the competitions from afar.
Here we have a gallery of pictures of recent World Cups. You’ll find games against France, Senegal, Wales, the USA and Iran from 2022, and Colombia, Sweden and Croatia in 2018. Also watch out for the Portsmouth-based Italians who sneak in...
Going back to this year, after the thrills of the victory over Croatia and the dreariness of the goalless snore-draw against Ghana, we await Panama on Saturday night. Four points is probably enough to get us through already - let’s hope we see some pace, flair and power to propel us properly into the knockouts. But
5. Despair
Comforting each other, Shelby Cambra and Carlos Marron outside The Milton Arms in Portsmouth after the England-Croatia World Cup semi-final in 2018 | Habibur Rahman
6. Blue Army
Staff at O Sole Mio in Port Solent get ready for the 2014 World Cup match between Italy and England. Back fromn left, Vincenzo Attanasio, Mario Vaccaro, Sara Fontana and Saverio Mendicino and Gianni Vaccaro at the front. Italy would win 2-1. | Sarah Standing (141818-514)
7. Anguish
England fans come to The Kings in Southsea, on Saturday, December 10, to watch England v France world cup. Picture: Matthew Clark | National World Resell
8. Strange to see a Christmas tree at the World Cup
England fans come to The Kings in Southsea, on Saturday, December 10, to watch England v France world cup. Picture: Matthew Clark | National World Resell