Englische Fans genießen lieber das WM-Abenteuer als die Fixierung auf „It’s Coming Home“.

BOSTON – In the historic Green Dragon Tavern in Boston, the site where the Sons of Liberty secretly met to plot against the English in the late 1700s, England fans were in a boisterous mood as they chanted, swigged beer and wore their bucket hats with glee.

But their chant of choice this summer is not "It’s Coming Home" like it has been in recent tournament years. When a lone tenor tried to get that going he failed. Miserably.

The 0-0 draw against Ghana in Boston won’t change the mood of England’s fans much.

Instead the most popular chant is: "We’re on our way, we’re off to New York, we’re on our way! How we get there I don’t know, how we get there I don’t care, all I know is England’s on their way!"

That sums up the vibe among England’s fans in North America following the Three Lions this summer. After so many near misses they're not fixating about "It’s Coming Home" they just want to enjoy their American World Cup adventure and hope for the best.

"Exactly right. We’re not expecting too much. Just coming in for the trip, a few beers and see what happens. It's the best we can hope for, really," Sean Robinson, a Tottenham Hotspur fan from London, said with a slight grimace.

But why have expectations changed so much since the last World Cup in 2022? England were among the favorites to win that and "It’s Coming Home" was in full flow. Since then they’ve reached the European Championship final, for a second-straight time, and are ranked number four in the world.

"Well some of us are long in the tooth, and we've been here before, we've seen it all before," Robinson said. "And whilst we hope for the best, we will always fear the worst. So disappointment and frustration are our oldest friends, to be fair. But having said that, it was a good performance against Croatia. I think they'll probably win tomorrow night. And we'll see where that takes us, really."

But there are fans who believe that Thomas Tuchel is the right man to take them to the promised land.

Anoushka Probyn, a West Brom fan who will be following England around at the World Cup this summer, believes the Three Lions have the best chance they've ever had to win it.

"I am cautiously optimistic. This is my fourth World Cup now, so I've learned the hard way not to get your hopes up too high but we did look good against Croatia," Probyn said. "This feels like the most hopeful World Cup I've ever experienced. I think there's an energy of 'we could really do it this time' which is really exciting."

Her partner Adam added that he was very impressed with England's attacking display against Croatia.

"It was the first time we looked like we were attacking without fear. It's the first time we've seen that so I'm hopeful. We've got a good chance, I'd say."

If only England could have backed that up against Ghana. But again. This is England. Their fans know it.

Here in Boston England fans Anoushka and Adam are feeling pretty confident about England’s chances at the #WorldCup this summer!

Live updates from #England v #Ghana here ➡️ https://t.co/lm2NKAWP5wpic.twitter.com/7it6zEdkxX

— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) June 23, 2026

After England’s opening game 4-2 win against perennial darkhorse Croatia (the world number 11 before the tournament kicked off), optimism levels were high after an impressive attacking display, especially in the second half.

But the glass remains half full for most England fans.

"It was good. But if you play against a better team, you're going to get punished. They need to tighten up on the defensive side, I think. But going forward, they're very good, obviously. They've got some world class players. If Harry Kane stays fit we've always got a chance. If he gets injured, then we haven't really got anyone that will step in his shoes. So, we'll have to wait and see what happens."

The form and fitness of captain and all-time leading goalscorer Harry Kane is the main reason pragmatic England fans can dream of glory. Casually.

“Yeah, that could be the difference. He's always done well but he's obviously moved up a level this time. He's dropping deep, almost playing like a center midfielder sometimes. If he does get injured or suspended, we'll have a different problem," Robinson added.

The scars of recent close brushes with glory haven’t healed yet. A good chunk of England’s fans aren’t allowing themselves to dream, but they are optimistic. As they tailgated in parking lots about a mile or so from the stadium in Boston before the Ghana game, England's fans were in a relaxed and cheerful mood.

Even after the draw against Ghana, plenty of England fans were celebrating with opposing fans singing “Country Roads” at the full time whistle.

At this point World Cup Fever is more of a tickly cough for England fans. But there’s still plenty of England fans proclaiming glory is on the way. It is, after all, fun to dream and hope.

"We’re going all the way!” a lady with a Harry Kane shirt on said to a passing local in Boston who asked if England were going to win.

Jamie Martin, a Swindon Town fan, is quietly confident that Tuchel's appointment will be the difference for England this summer.

"Confident. I think Thomas Tuchel will be the difference and I think we will at least get to the final and probably miss out to France in the final," Martin said. "When we beat Croatia the other day, I was saying to others that Southgate, even though he did really well for us, I think he would have bought on a [Jordan] Henderson whereas Tuchel kind of goes for the kill a bit more."

England fan Jamie Martin is excited for the #ThreeLions this summer and believes they can go far at the #WorldCup ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/1UxTjYXs8r

— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) June 23, 2026

Where does that general sense of melancholy come from England fans?

"Years of having bad managers, bad tournaments, but ever since Russia (2018 World Cup) they've been pretty good, pretty consistent. I think we are as good as anyone. France and Spain are better in attacking areas but I think overall we've got a great team. Great opportunity," Martin said.

But as English fans piled into small pubs and taverns in Boston before and after this game against Ghana, they didn’t seem preoccupied with glory.

Americans bought them beers as they laughed and joked together and wiled away the hours exploring new cities and creating new memories.

As culture-thirsty England fans wandered around downtown Boston being given a tour by a guide dressed like George Washington you sensed that this summer was about more than a fixation on finally winning the World Cup again. It's been 60 years since their solitary win in 1966, in case you didn't know.

For decades the focus has been about the destination rather than the journey for these England fans. This summer it’s different. The pressure is off. And that might just be what this team needs to finally bring it home.

"I don't think we're great at the back. We are better off just going for teams rather than just sitting back and soaking it up. I think with the players we've got here we will do really well," Martin said.

So it probably won't come home, but England will come close?

"Yeah, the same again," Martin laughed.