Is England’s World Cup entitlement unique, or common in other countries?

@Enko but the home bit refers to the fact England were playing at home when the song first came out.

I think people sometimes overestimate the strength of our national team because of the quality and wealth of the Premier League, but our Prem is far more international than equivalent countries (Bundesliga is 50% German, for example, whereas the Prem is only about 30% English).

Simply because I dont find something funny doesnt mean I am not able to see irony or find humour in things

I just do not agree this is humorous.

Unless you are suggeting the song and the phrase actually meanals they dont want to win again ever there is no irony what so ever - as it is not stating the opposite of what is meant for humerous effect.

Not finding something funny also dosesnt mean people are taking it "to seriously " it means they have a different view to you.

Thats ok in life but many do not get that..

Or it’s the ball not bouncing right… it’s too hot… or too cold …

Sounds like Max Verstappen. Always everyone else’s fault apart from his, when he doesn’t win a race.

We don't need other nations to support us. We just aren't interested in people who have to shout from the rooftops anyone but England.

It’s why other nations find it hard to support England, the arrogance! They gloat when they win and sulk when they lose…

By and large, they don't believe they are inherently superior to or exempt from the norms of other countries, or that they are a pinnacle of social achievement. They aren't desperately trying to compensate for the loss of an empire and the colossal act of national self-harm that was Brexit, and swinging, based on comments on here, between a weird, default self-loathing ('all foreigners are better than us by default', 'I want to emigrate to somewhere less shit where my children will be safe') and an equally weird, touchy sense of grievance about England flags connoting racism for some and a schizophrenic attitude to the NHS, which is either an unimpeachable national symbol, or a wreck barely able to function. (And it is, it seems to be, English national exceptionalism pushing this, rather than Scots or Welsh.)

Don't get me wrong, I lived very happily in England for years. I think it's a great country currently having a temporarily difficult phase. (Not eliding England and the UK, but I never lived outside of England when there).

I just think that the idea of exceptionalism feeds into all kinds of unhelpful stuff, like Brexit. Brexiteers leaned heavily into the idea that Britain would soar free of European bureaucracy and thrive globally. Which is obvious nonsense.

TL;DR. It's not harmless.

We are even getting beaten by foreigners at cheese rolling and wife carrying. 2 other spots that Brits invented. So it's not just football.

I went to see The Lightening Seeds recently, and we all sung "Three Lions". A lot of fun.

What do countries have who don’t have national exceptionalism? Whatever it is, I am guessing it’s not as good?

I don’t feel anybody should have to apologise for the - imo completely dotty and unfounded - belief that where they live (what they grew up with, what they are used to, and what they therefore like) is Absolutely The Best Thing Ever. The harmless section of such beliefs (includes football) are frankly a great blessing in living a contented life and people who begrudge such harmless beliefs are grinchy grudge muppets.

You're not being unreasonable. England fans seem to think we have the worst football team in the world if we don't win the entire tournament every time. Only one team in the world can win it! (I'm guilty of it, by the way, but acknowledge that my expectations are completely unreasonable!)

Shite is a bit harsh. Iran are shite. The Faroe Islands = shite. England? A perennial underachiever?

This poster knows this. And still thinks it’s entitlement because it must mean that the English think other teams have less of a right to win 🙄

Christ, it's worrying that I can remember Des Lynam opening the semi final coverage by saying "you've obviously heard there's a football match on tonight" 30 years ago(!!!) but I cannot remember where I last left my keys.

Football was codified in England. The formal game was invented here. 1863 and all that.

When England hosted Euro96, football (the tournament) came home (to our home).

It's the opposite of entitlement. Listen to the lyrics of Three Lions. We were hoping against hope that we might win, that we could win, even though we kind of suspected we wouldn't win.

I think it used to be more entitled but that hasn't been the case for a while now. Perhaps ironically, as they did pretty well under Gareth Southgate.

But football brings out the worst in people and I don't think that's a uniquely English thing at all. And at least referees and players don't get murdered like they do in South America! In fact Gareth Southgate might not have been around to be England manager if they did!

There is no entitlement. The song you're referring to is the opposite of entitlement. It's a self-deprecating lament about how we always manage to mess it up. The 'coming home' bit isn't even about the trophy. It was written for Euro 96, which was hosted in England. So it was the tournament that was at "home". You're looking for offence I think.

They've ran out of red and white paint where I live. Flag shagging fascist far right thugs that we are 😉

I’ll nip out with me paint pot and do a couple of roundabouts.

England invented the football league and has a huge and long history.

It's in the blood.

It's not entitlement, it's hopes and dreams.

😆 🤣 it's flying high with pride

I hate football, but jesus christ, you're just looking for things to get offended over.

Flag flying?? That’s brave. Don’t let a mumsnetter see that, you’ll have a thread about you being a “flag shagger” in no time.

Not in our household. Flag flying, wine, 🍺 and snacks 😋 already being bought. Love the atmosphere but dread the inevitable penalties 😔. I don't bank on England winning now so just enjoy the whole tournament 😉 😀