Here at Verge, we conducted a survey of 2,000 England fans during the Nations League friendlies on behalf of BritishGambler.co.uk, looking to the World Cup in Qatar at the end of the year and how England fans truly feel about the prospect of penalties and success in Qatar.
The survey showed that:
76% of England fans believe that England would win a penalty shoot-out in Qatar
98% of people back Harry Kane to score in a shoot-out
Saka is the fans’ second favourite to take a penalty
69% of England fans want Pickford in goal for penalties
The preferred shoot-out line-up: Kane, Saka, Trippier, Alexander-Arnold & Rashford
51% of England fans believe they will win The World Cup
Would They Score in a Shootout?
Kane – 98%
Saka – 91%
Trippier – 90%
Alexander-Arnold – 90%
Rashford – 87%
Toney – 86%
Foden – 86%
James – 86%
Ward-Prowse – 85%
Dier – 83%
The above are the top 10 preferred penalty takers for England. Harry Kane is England fans’ preferred option, and 98% would back him to score in a shoot-out at The World Cup. In spite of missing against Italy, England fans are putting their faith back into Bukayo Saka, with 91% of fans believing he would score. Marcus Rashford, who also missed in the Euro 2020 final, is also backed by England fans to step up and score, should England go to a World Cup penalty shoot-out.
If England were to go to a shoot-out, the fans’ 5 takers would be Kane, Saka, Trippier, Alexander-Arnold and Rashford.
Who would you want in goal?
Jordan Pickford – 69%
Nick Pope – 20%
Aaron Ramsdale – 11%
England fans believe in sticking with Jordan Pickford, who saved two penalties in the Euro 2020 final shootout against Italy, including Jorginho’s penalty and thus taking the shoot-out into sudden death.
75% of England fans also back Jordan Pickford to score from the spot – more than have faith in Harry Maguire and Jack Grealish (both 73%).
Would England win a Penalty Shoot-out?
Yes – 76%
No – 24%
England fan attitudes are changing when it comes to penalties. The negative mindset of ‘oh no’, is disappearing. Fans now believe that England would win a penalty shoot-out at The World Cup should the scenario happen.
Will England Win The World Cup?
Yes – 51%
No – 49%
This speaks for itself – England fans are feeling positive going into the World Cup! Whilst it’s pretty much 50-50 on whether England fans believe that they can win The World Cup, there are more fans that believe England can win it in Qatar than there are that don’t.
