Prince William is also President of the Football Association and met with Gareth Southgate’s England squad before the 26-man group flew to Germany ahead of their Euro 2024 campaign
Prince William met with England’s squad ahead of their journey to Germany to find success at Euro 2024.
The royal joined Gareth Southgate and co at St George’s Park on Monday with the Three Lions set to travel to their training base outside of Erfurt. England’s bid to win the tournament for the first time begins in less than a week against Serbia, as they look to go one step further after shootout heartbreak against Italy three years ago.
The squad’s preparations thus far have seen a 33-man preliminary squad cut down to 26 for the tournament and two friendly matches. A win over Bosnia and Herzegovina was followed by a disappointing defeat to Iceland but training can get underway in earnest with the group now complete following Jude Bellingham’s arrival before flying to Germany.
The Prince of Wales holds the role of President of the Football Association and has met England’s representatives for the tournament once again, after doing the same before the World Cup. On that occasion, William presented squad members with shirts and posed for a photograph with each.
William spoke to players and provided some advice from his children. “Guys, I was thinking on the way here, what could I say that could help?” he said.
“I was on the school run with the children and I said, ‘what should I say to the England team?’. The best bit of advice I got was to eat twice the amount you would normally eat. I then had visions of you all running around with massive tummies and stitches on the pitch. Maybe take my youngest’s advice with a pinch of salt.
“Tournament football is a big deal. All of you have had fantastic seasons, I’ve seen every single one of you play this season, you’ve done extremely well. Club football is now here, tournament football over here. As some of you know, tournament football is brutal and it requires a lot more than you’ve already give. You’ve had a long season and I’m going to ask you to go again.
“It’s going to be difficult, going to be fun, going to be challenging. It’s going to be everything you ever dreamed of wearing an England shirt. All of the experience you’ve had in club football, you’re going to need them in the back of your head to draw from.
“The biggest thing I’ve learned from coming and seeing you guys over the years, every England dressing room I’ve been into – the togetherness. What Gareth has instilled in you over the years, I really feel you’re a unit, you fight for each other, you play for each other, and you really care about putting that shirt on. I just want you guys to know how much it means to everyone back here that you go out there, give it your all, play for your shirt, play for each other, play for your country because everyone is behind you and really care about what you’re going to do.
“You need to know also, the England team has a target on its back. Everyone wants to beat us. You guys have all the talent in the world, you’re a great squad, talent alone won’t win us the tournament. Whatever you can do, draw on those experiences in other parts of your life, growing up, other inspirations, family members, whatever it is. Get that in you right now, build up on it, pump yourself up because you never know when you might need it.
“I wish you all the best. I’ll be watching every single game. I won’t say what I do at home, there’s media in the room, but we get very much into it. Best of luck guys.”
The meeting between parties marks once of the final activities before England leave for the German training base. Southgate’s team arrived at St George’s Park on Sunday for the official start of the Euro 2024 camp.
England are set to check into Spa & GolfResort Weimarer Land on Monday, and will be based at the isolated, luxury venue for the extend of their stay. The Three Lions will travel to Gelsenkirchen, Cologne and Frankfurt for their group stage games against Serbia, Slovenia and Denmark, but will train and stay in a resort that boasts two golf courses, swimming pools and a games room.
The squad’s stay is estimated to cost the FA an estimated £800,000, it typically costs about £300 per night for a room at the hotel. England are even said to have beat Germany to the residence.
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