Prince William: King Charles "hates football" – Royals without World Cup tradition

The heir's football enthusiasm

Unlike his father, William is a self-confessed football fan. For years he has regularly attended Aston Villa games – the club from Birmingham – and is considered one of the club's most prominent supporters. The prince is also frequently seen in the stadium or at official receptions for England national team matches.

For the English team at the ongoing World Cup, William expressed a simple wish. When asked what result would be a success for England at the tournament, he laughed and said: „Dass sie gewinnen, denke ich." Looking at the "Three Lions'" performances so far, the heir to the throne expressed confidence.

Praise for coach Tuchel

William particularly highlighted the work of German coach Thomas Tuchel. Tuchel has brought the team "in eine sehr gute mentale Verfassung" and is focusing on "mehr Freiheit und Spielfluss", the prince said. This is intended to enable the team to show its playing potential on the pitch.

Tuchel, who coached FC Bayern Munich among others and won the Champions League with FC Chelsea, has been responsible for the English national side for some time. After an uneven phase, he is meant to give the team new momentum – William's words suggest that, in the eyes of prominent observers, these efforts are bearing initial fruit.

Royals and the people's sport of football

The podcast appearance is part of a series of media formats in which members of the British royal family talk about sport. While the royals regularly appear at horse races, polo and rugby, football has so far been an area in which the royal family is less rooted. William's open words about the missing father-son tradition are likely to further cement this perception.

While millions of British fans cheer on the team at the World Cup, the prince offers an unusual glimpse into royal family life with his private anecdote. The fact that it is heir to the throne William who is publicly revealing his father's lack of football enthusiasm shows: the British royal family, too, is not untouched by the emotions surrounding the round leather ball.