England partied with 65,000 fans (and Burna Boy) outside Buckingham Palace after winning Euro 2025. But they already have one eye on the World Cup.
LONDON — The two double-decker buses had already been down The Mall, the helicopters were still circling, the thousands of fans had got a glimpse of their heroes, England captain Leah Williamson had talked through tears, and coach Sarina Wiegman had danced with Burna Boy when Euro 2025 final match-winner Chloe Kelly summed up what everyone was thinking. «It’s so f—ing special», she said.
The first tents popped up for Tuesday’s victory parade at 2 a.m. along the streets of the capital. By 9 a.m., little more than 36 hours after Kelly scored the final spot kick of the shootout win over Spain in Basel, Switzerland, the place was packed. Supporters climbed up the wall splitting St. James’ Park from the Queen Victoria Memorial to get a better view, but as far as you could see, there was a throng of adoration for the Lionesses. There were young fans, older supporters, new converts and those who had followed women’s football all the way through to this wonderful moment.
Talking to those who’d been there since the early hours to welcome home the repeat Euro winners, who won the rematch of the 2023 World Cup final after losing that game in Sydney, there were two words frequently mentioned for why this country has fallen in love with the Lionesses all over again: «grit» and «determination.»
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One young fan from North London spoke of how she adored them as role models — her cousin in the England under-17 women’s team. «They just never give up», she said.
Amelie came from Brighton, inspired by the class of 2022, and is now playing for Withdean Galaxy — a club that has grown from six girls to 300 in the past six years. She loves Chloe Kelly. Father and daughter Paul and Orla from Norwich adore Lucy Bronze. «No one thought they could win it after the first game, but they show you that you should never give up», Orla, 11, said.
Two 18-year-olds from London were enamored by the Lionesses after their Euro 2022 win and began supporting England and Arsenal as it gave them «a sense of community.»
It was there in the signs, too: «In Sarina, We Trust», «I want to be a Lioness», «Bronze = Pure Gold.»
They were all there to celebrate the most chaotic, remarkable tournament for England which ended with that penalty shootout, and Kelly striding forward with her consummate authority to wrap up yet another monumental feat for this group. But it wasn’t always guaranteed — England had to come from behind in all three of their knockout matches — and the roller-coaster ride meant there were several times Wiegman thought the dream had ended.
Behind the scenes, the English Football Association (FA) was planning this whole procession just in case the Lionesses pulled it off. The FA learnt its lesson from 2022 when things were a little more scrambled after the victory on home soil, with Trafalgar Square then the venue.
