The MetLife Stadium, known as New York/New Jersey for the World Cup, is the biggest venue for a Three Lions game so far. Its 78,576-capacity means that more than 30,000 fans are likely to be in the white shirts of England.
England will be backed by their biggest army of supporters yet in the US as they take on Panama tomorrow.
More than 10,000 fans will be in the Big Apple with huge numbers flying in from the UK for the group decider. The MetLife Stadium, known as New York/New Jersey for the World Cup, is the biggest venue for a Three Lions game so far. It’s 78,576-capacity means that more than 30,000 fans are likely to be in the white shirts of England.
It could be even higher given the huge number of ex-pats from the US following Harry Kane and his side.
England took part in their final training session in Kansas City – after heavy rain storms overnight – before flying to New York. Kane predicted changes to the side with an eye on the next round.
He said: “It would not surprise me if the boss makes some changes anyway and just kept the team fresh.”
Victory will guarantee England’s place in the knockout phase, leading to a trip to Atlanta in the round of 32. The Three Lions’ potential opponents include Ecuador from Group E, Senegal and Iraq from Group I, Algeria and Austria from J, and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal and DR Congo from K. Winning the group would also put them on course for a showdown with hosts Mexico in the world-famous Azteca Stadium in the last 32, where Maradona scored his Hand of God goal in the dramatic 2-1 quarter-final defeat in 1986.
But they must take care of outsiders Panama first, who are bottom of the group and heading home. The $98 dollar (£74) ticket price for the train service from New York to the stadium has been reduced from $150. The 18,000 seats on a fleet of Yellow school buses, priced at $20 (£15) have sold out.
The vast majority of these seats are taken by Three Lions fans. In addition, huge numbers of Premier League fans from New York State, New Jersey and the surrounding areas are likely to support England.
Britain’s Got Talent finalist Sonny Green, 31, was in the Big Apple and visited Times Square, where he posed with a man dressed as the Statue of Liberty. The spoken word poet, from Southend-on-Sea, was enjoying the atmosphere before the final group game against Panama.
Thomas Concannon, lead for the Football Supporters’ Association fans embassy in the US, said many England fans elected to travel from the UK specifically for this World Cup game. Many are having a long weekend in New York and flying home. But large numbers are also planning to stay as long as England remain in the tournament.
“This was the group game that was most popular with the official members club,” he said. “People are coming to this and hoping to stay out for the final.
“There were around 4,000 tickets sold via the official members club. But the numbers sold via FIFA to those officially following England would have taken that beyond the 10,000 mark. And as we have seen so far, at least half of the stadium, which has a near 80,000 capacity for the game, could be full of England fans.”
He said the draw against Ghana was a ‘nightmare’ for fans planning their World Cup journey. The team could, in theory, play in Atlanta, Toronto or Kansas City depending on the result.
“It is so frustrating from the fans’ perspective planning ahead,” he added. “They are looking at Atlanta, Toronto, Kansas City.
“So many have gambled on Atlanta, but we will just have to wait and see on Saturday. But so many fans are planning to stay for the duration and trying to make plans.”
The UK head of football policing, Chief Constable Mark Roberts, confirmed the large numbers heading to New York. He said: “We are expecting 3,971 members – other ticket sales we’re looking at 10,721, plus 1,000 friends and family from the FA.”
