England fans pack Dallas fan zone as World Cup opener against Croatia arrives

Thousands of England fans descended on the Texas Live Fan Zone in Dallas ahead of the Three Lions’ World Cup group-stage clash with Croatia, with supporters arriving from across North America to share in the occasion.

The venue, which features a giant 100-foot screen, live DJs, interactive crowd games, and the Lone Star Dance Squad, was packed with flags representing clubs including Stoke City, West Ham United and Oldham Athletic, as chants of ‘Football’s Coming Home’ rang around the arena.

Among those in attendance were Mark and Michelle Lynch, originally from Bournemouth and now based in Fort Lauderdale, who won four tickets through a FIFA lottery draw. The couple brought their eight-year-old son Finley, who plays for Inter Miami’s under-eights alongside Lionel Messi’s son Ciro, and Michelle’s father Christopher Morby, 72, from Surrey.

“I registered on the FIFA site, entered the lottery and won the tickets,” said Mark, 44. “So we are here in the fan zone to enjoy the atmosphere and going to the game.”

Michelle, 41, offered a glimpse into life at Inter Miami’s youth level, saying: “Lionel comes along to training every week to see his son. He is a very good dad.”

Joe Salazar, 38, originally from Blackburn and now living in Vancouver, paid $500 for his ticket through the FIFA website. “It has been a great trip, the people here have been so hospitable,” he said. “But we are raring to go for the game.”

Kyle d’Souza, 34, of the Dallas Reds — a Manchester United supporters’ group — said the fan zone atmosphere rivalled that of the 70,000-capacity AT&T Stadium itself. He also met former United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel, who was in Dallas to commentate for a US network.

“There is no bigger game than England and we have got them here for the World Cup,” d’Souza said. “I not only watch United but I also love to follow England.”

Danny Stewart, 55, a cousin of former Tottenham, Liverpool and Manchester City midfielder Paul Stewart, made the trip from Nashville, Tennessee. He reflected on football’s growing footprint in the United States, pointing to the influence of Messi and David Beckham at Inter Miami as signs of the sport’s rising profile.

“It is a different world out here,” Stewart said. “There is so much competition to football. But it is getting better with Messi and Beckham in Miami.”