By Lori Ewing
KANSAS CITY, Missouri, July 7 (Reuters) – England swapped the training pitch for a musical interlude last week when British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran visited their World Cup base in Kansas City.
The England team posted video on their app on Tuesday showing the 35-year-old performing his hit “Castle on the Hill” for players and staff during some down time ahead of their thrilling 3-2 round-of-16 victory over Mexico on Sunday.
“Do you know what? 2021, Harry (Kane, England’s captain) got me down for the (Euros) camp, and then I met everyone, and then I’ve just been to every one since, and it’s been great,” Sheeran told England’s in-house media.
“It’s been a nice little tradition. First time I played for the lads in 2021 we bonded, and so it’s never a tough crowd.”
The Suffolk-raised musician is a lifelong football fan and minority owner of Ipswich Town.
He also visited the England squad before their quarter-final match against Switzerland at the 2024 European Championships.
England clinched a World Cup quarter-final berth with Sunday’s dramatic win at the Azteca Stadium.
“I think it will be an England-France final, and I think when you get to the final, anyone can win, and I think it’ll be us,” Sheeran said.
The team arrived back in Kansas City on Monday, and used the day mainly for recovery.
(Reporting by Lori EwingEditing by Toby Davis)
