Bet On England To Win: Put Your Shirt On The Three Lions

• Which England Matches To Bet On
• What Are The Most Popular England Games To Bet On?
• England’s Historical Odds
• England’s Record In Major Tournaments
• All-Time England Head-To-Head Record
• Should You Bet On England To Win?

Betting on England can often be frustrating to say the least. The Three Lions have always had talented players, but they’ve failed to translate their on-pitch riches to trophy wins.

In fact, England have only one major footballing trophy to their name - the 1966 World Cup - though they came close to silverware in 1990, 1996, 2018, and 2021. If you’re a fan of the national team, then it can be very tempting to bet on England to win a tournament, despite the country’s long wait for a trophy. It is one of the reasons why “England to win World Cup odds” is a market often searched for by supporters.

With the increase in popularity of the female game, England's Women's World Cup odds are also worth looking at for fans.

International football tournaments have seen major expansions in recent years - resulting in a greater quantity of games played throughout the year. From the Nations League qualifiers to the latter stages of the World Cup, it’s not difficult to bet on England in action.

Which England Matches To Bet On

The England national team are consistently strong, meaning that they tend to qualify for major tournaments more often than not. The country last failed to qualify for the World Cup in 1994 and last failed to reach the European Championships in 2008.

The quality of the side means that you’re able to bet on the Three Lions in three tournaments - The UEFA Nations League, European Championships (Euros), and the FIFA World Cup. England also have occasional friendly matches in which to prepare for those events.

The Nations League is by far the least prestigious of the three tournaments, however it’s played more frequently than the latter two - taking over a two-year cycle in between the major tournaments.

You can also bet on international friendlies, however the introduction of the Nations League has made these games less common.

What Are The Most Popular England Games To Bet On?

The world’s most popular football competition, and sporting event in general, is the FIFA World Cup.

England have been a common presence in the tournament and, more often than not, progressed from the group stage to reach the knockout rounds.

The most popular England games to bet on take place at the World Cup, with the whole country getting behind the team in the hopes the Three Lions go as far as they possibly can.

The knockout rounds of the European Championships are also hugely popular with bettors and viewers alike. England’s journey to the final of Euro 2020 sent the nation into pandemonium, with thousands of bettors wagering a bet on England to win.

Major international knockout games are the most popular games to bet on due to their high viewership, the country’s footballing culture, and the hope of silverware should England win. International friendlies and Nations League fixtures still attract plenty of punters, however in far less quantity.

England’s Historical Odds

The fluctuating nature of international football has resulted in England having a variety of odds to win certain games and tournaments.

Let’s take a look at the England odds set by major bookmakers throughout the years, starting from the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

• 2010 World Cup - 6/1*
• Euro 2012 - 10/1*
• 2014 World Cup - 28/1*
• Euro 2016 - 8/1*
• 2018 World Cup - 20/1*
• Euro 2020 - 5/1*
• World Cup 2022 - 13/2**

*Odds from before the start of the tournaments from various sources **Midnite odds at the time of writing

You can see that England’s longest odds were at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. The quality of the squad was hardly elite back then, and the strength of other teams, combined with its humid Brazilian setting, resulted in England falling well behind in the pecking order.

The Three Lions were eliminated in the group stages of the competition after losing their first two games, meaning that the bookies were right on this occasion.

Euro 2020, where England played their games at Wembley, represented the shortest odds for an England victory in recent memory. Gareth Southgate’s men ended up finishing runners-up after a penalty shootout loss to Italy.

If you’re hoping for England to win the World Cup, odds aren’t exactly in your favour, historically speaking.

England’s Record In Major Tournaments

For all the quality the country produces, England still only have one trophy to their name. However, that isn’t to say that they haven’t had good tournament performances before.

Here’s how England has fared in international tournaments since the 1986 World Cup:

1990s

• 1990 World Cup - 4th (semi-finals)
• 1992 European Championships - Group Stages
• 1994 World Cup - Did not qualify
• 1996 European Championships - Semi-finals
• 1998 World Cup - Second Round

2000s

• 2000 European Championships - Group Stages
• 2002 World Cup - Quarter Finals
• 2004 European Championships - Quarter Finals
• 2006 World Cup - Quarter Finals-
• 2008 European Championships - Did not qualify

2010s

• 2010 World Cup - Second Round
• 2012 European Championships - Quarter Finals
• 2014 World Cup - Group Stages
• 2016 European Championships - Second Round
• 2018 World Cup - Semi-finals

2020s

• 2020 European Championships - Runners-up

It’s been a mixed bag for England at major tournaments, with plenty of strong finishes and plenty of anticlimactic ones.

All-Time England Head-To-Head Record

Since their first international game in 1872, England have played 1,034 games, with 592 wins, 248 draws, and 194 losses.

Who Are England’s ‘Bogey Sides’?

England’s toughest opponents have been Italy, Uruguay, Netherlands and Brazil, with far more losses than victories against these sides.

If the game you’re betting on is against the four aforementioned countries, then you should keep in mind England’s poor record against them over the years.

Should You Bet On England To Win?

The England national team have had mixed fortunes over the years, but the Three Lions are still a strong side and tend to beat the majority of countries they face. Though they’ve never been serial tournament winners, the country is improving at tournaments and came within a penalty shootout of lifting the 2020 European Championships.

The most popular England games to bet on take place at major tournaments, with the knockout games in particular causing a busy time for bookmakers.

If England are playing Brazil, Uruguay, Netherlands, or Italy, then you should remember that the Three Lions have dismal records against these sides.

Whether England finally deliver that coveted second major trophy remains to be seen.