England fans are living the American Dream in New Jersey as they party in a World Cup fanzone for the match against Panama.
Neil Diamond’s Three Lions anthem ‘Sweet Caroline’ was playing as fans lined up behind their Bristol City, Huddersfield Town, Middlesbrough FC and Pennsylvania Owls flags.
In the Yard House Pub inside the giant American Dream fanzone, 2.5 pint, $16 (£12) ales were being served to thirsty England fans as they chanted terrace anthems and enjoyed the World Cup atmosphere with supporters from Panama and across the United States.
For some, it was the end of their World Cup journey. They told how they were heading home this week, with Thomas Tuchel’s side already through to the knockout phase.
View 5 ImagesEngland Fan at the American Dream Fanzone
Others had combined the football with darts and a trip to see Luke Littler defeated 8-7 by Luke Humphries in a thriller at Madison Square Garden on Friday night.
Bristol City fans Richard Iles, 55, and Andrew Rodgers, 56, were at the end of a £30,000 trip to see all of the group games before heading home.
Richard, who also travelled to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup, said: “We have really enjoyed the experience. The tickets are too expensive, the travel is too expensive, everything is too expensive but we are having fun. What do you do as a fan? You either pay or you don’t come.
“We have done all three group games and Dallas was such a great game with a great atmosphere. Then we had second game syndrome but we have really made the most of it.”
View 5 ImagesEngland Fans at the American Dream Fanzone, Richard Iles (left) and Andrew Rodgers
Andrew, who is also retired, added: “Qatar was so different because everything was so easy – all the stadiums were within an hour and a half of our hotel and the Metro system was brilliant.
“We paid 12,000 US dollars each for the package here because it provided tickets to each game, hotels and transfers. But the flights home are on top of that so it will have been around £15,000 each.
“Last night at the darts, the ticket was $123 and a pint was £18; yet there were still 5,000 people in there and almost all of them were English. It was a great match and perfectly timed for the football.”
Wolves fan Braden Webb, 20, of Stafford, travelling with his dad Paul, 63, told how they met US fans at the Ghana game. They ended up getting a lift to the stadium and ‘tailgating’ with Ghana fans – a US tradition where BBQ food is served from the back of vehicles in the car park before the game.
University of Birmingham student Braden, who is training to be a PE teacher, joked: “Can you imagine doing that at Molineux? We were also sitting with the opposition fans and many Americans who were cheering for Ghana. That was grinding my gears. But the stadium was amazing and it was a great experience.”
View 5 ImagesLeft to Right Panama fans Katie Krech and Geraldine Villarreal before the Panama England match
Panama fans were excited that their most important player, Carrasquilla, who has yet to play a minute at this World Cup, was likely to be fit. In 2024, Carrasquilla became the first Panamanian named Concacaf men’s player of the year.
He trained as a hairdresser in his youth and was giving his team-mates a trim by the time he made his senior debut aged 16 for Panamanian side Tauro.
Carrasquilla still occasionally cuts hair at the local barber when he is visiting family back home. He had promised to shave his head if Panama wins the World Cup.
Panama fan Geraldine Villarreal, 25, had travelled from Fort Lauderdale, Florida with her friend Katie Kreh, 31, to see the game.
Geraldine said: “We know that we are out so we are here to have a good time and just sample the atmosphere.
“We met when we were both dating Englishmen in America, and we are both working in Florida.
“We have a soft spot for England but obviously we are biased.”
View 5 ImagesEngland Fans at the American Dream Fanzone
Tiffany McKenna, 33, originally from Whitley Bay, North Tyneside but now living in Houston, Texas, told how her twin sister Alex has to put bets on for her back home in the UK because it is illegal in her home state.
She joked: “You cannot gamble in Texas. We could not get tickets for the Croatia game in Dallas which was so frustrating.
“So I am just buzzing to be here.”
The American Dream shopping complex, opposite the MetLife Stadium – renamed the New York/New Jersey stadium for the tournament – has been transformed into a giant fanzone.
It served drinks to England and Panama fans before the 5pm kickoff local time and then showed the game for those without tickets.
A “major hub for football and soccer experiences,” it offers massive screens, celebrity appearances, and entertainment.
The stadium’s capacity has been reduced from 87,157 to just under 80,000 for the tournament.
It was expected to be at least half full of Three Lions supporters from the UK and across the US.
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Built as a $1.6-billion replacement for Giants Stadium, it will host eight matches including the final.