ENGLAND get their World Cup campaign underway tonight against Croatia and thousands of Three Lions fans have headed to the USA to follow the team. Among them is Cherries fan Tyler Gregory.
It is Tyler’s first World Cup, and he has been in Dallas since Sunday, building up to today’s game, which kicks off at 9 pm UK time, or 3 pm in Texas.
Regular England viewers will know fans travel well with flags showing where they’ve come from, and Tyler is no different – eagle-eyed supporters will be able to keep an eye out for his with the Cherries crest on it behind the goal tonight.
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Out with friends and his partner, Tyler said the welcome from the locals has been very friendly, and he’s been building up to this World Cup for a while.
"It's a big one to come to as my first one, but it's what I've had my eyes on for a few years now," he told the Daily Echo.
"And yeah, obviously it's been a lot of planning, a lot of saving. I’ve done the whole of the Euros, so that was a good experience. But this is completely contrasting to the Euros.
"It's crazy, and it's only three days in, another 17-odd days yet!"
Tyler will be at all the group-stage games and the first knockout – and he’ll be at the final should England get that far.
He was confident the Three Lions could win it six months ago, but he’s not so certain now.
Game day in Dallas, come on England🏴 pic.twitter.com/tvGgTHeWAx
— Tyler Gregory (@Tgregs_98) June 17, 2026
"I actually was pretty bullish on us winning it," he said.
"I thought 60 years on, could be something special in America. Harry Kane, form of his life, I just thought why not.
"But then six months on, it's a bit of a different situation. The Mexico game is going to be [a potential banana skin], I'm speechless for that game. It's going to be a nail-biting game if we play them.
"I think that's the toughest game we could have asked for, to be honest, if we do play Mexico in Mexico.
"But I think with the squad we've got, I still think a semi-final, we should be getting there. If it's not semi-final at least, then it’s a poor tournament.
"But past that, it's a lottery.
"I think France, Spain, Argentina looked good last night. Messi was on form. So yeah, let's try and get to the semi-final at least, then see what happens from there.
"Tuchel’s a winner, so fingers crossed he can do what he's meant to be here for!"
Tyler admitted he was gutted that Alex Scott was not included in the squad, having ‘waved the Alex Scott flag for a long time’, and said the overall squad was a ‘controversial’ one, a view shared by many.
On the opener, he’s confident.
"I'm expecting a win, to be honest," he said.
"Obviously, it's a tough first game. Get the tougher one out of the way, which is nice, but it will be tough. Hot conditions, it is an airconditioned stadium though, so that might be beneficial tonight.
"I'm hoping for a 2-0 win.
"I think Harry Kane will get us going and then maybe the fresh legs, Morgan Rogers might come on and score, I think obviously Tuchel likes him a lot, so I'm expecting a big tournament from him.
"And yeah, hopefully a 2-0, nice clean sheet. I'll be happy with that tonight!"
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