Football (or soccer, as it is called in the United States) is taking over America this summer. The United States is hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup across the country, and England is set to take the pitch against Croatia on Wednesday, June 17. The team is hoping for their first successful World Cup since 1966 and is using the transformation led by former coach Gareth Southgate ahead of their first match.
While the beloved coach is very private, there may be someone who knows him well. James Graham, the creator of both the play and the TV show Dear England, which is about Gareth's tenure as the manager of the England men's football team, spoke with HELLO! at the 25th Tribeca Film Festival about the coach.
What is Gareth Southgate really like?
"He's famously said he would probably never watch [Dear England]," James told HELLO!, adding: "He's a very humble, shy, introverted guy, which I think we can all respect." Even though Gareth doesn't want to be in the spotlight, he lent his support for the show. "He still wanted to help," James explained. "He was like, 'How can I help you make the thing I don't want to happen?'"
For the show, James spent time with Gareth at the England training camp, met his team, and became acquaintances with him ever since. "He could see the value in having a cultural, artistic representation of his project alongside the sporting one," the Dear England creator said. "His family, his kids, his friends, like most normal humans, don't want to watch an actor playing him on stage. But he's been great."
Gareth married his childhood sweetheart, Alison Bird, in July 1997. The couple are parents to two children, Mia, 24, and Flynn, 20. And while his family doesn't appear in the show, they are supportive of him.
How Dear England came to be
Before Dear England was a hit TV show, it was a play. James revealed to HELLO! where he was when he first pitched the idea. "[My director and I] were doing a play on Broadway called Ink, and I pitched [Dear England] to him in a gay bar uptown," he shared. "[It] is not [a] likely setting for a story about competitive masculine sports. I'd worked up the courage to pitch it over drinks."
The play premiered at the National Theatre in 2023, later transferring to the West End, and was adapted into a BBC television series. Joseph Fiennes portrayed Gareth Southgate, capturing his stoic yet emotional leadership style. The title derives from Southgate's open letter "Dear England" published in 2021 ahead of the Euros, in which he addressed the nation about the team's values and his vision.
England in the 2026 World Cup
England hasn't won the World Cup in 60 years, but they have a good shot at taking home the title this year. Now coached by Thomas Tuchel, the team is ranked 4th by FIFA. James shared his thoughts on England's chances at the 2026 World Cup with HELLO!, saying: "Obviously [my hopes are for a] win, but I think we have to be realistic and yet, one of the lessons I love that Gareth tried to instill in his fans was that you have to enjoy the journey towards winning."
The tournament will see 48 teams competing across 16 cities in North America. England's group includes Croatia, as well as fellow qualifiers from the European zone. Tuchel, a German manager who previously led Chelsea to Champions League glory, took over the reins in 2025 after Southgate stepped down following the 2024 European Championship final loss to Spain.
Southgate's tenure (2016–2024) was transformative. He reached a World Cup semi-final in 2018, the Euro 2020 final (lost on penalties to Italy), and the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals. His ability to rebuild squad morale, promote young talents like Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka, and navigate intense media scrutiny earned him widespread respect. In 2024, he was knighted by Prince William for his services to football and charity.
The play Dear England explores these themes: the burden of history, the fragility of public expectation, and the human side of leadership. It has been praised for humanizing a often stereotypically stoic figure. Southgate's support for the project, despite his discomfort with attention, highlights his commitment to changing the culture around English football.
As the team prepares for the 2026 World Cup, the legacy of Southgate looms large. New manager Tuchel has inherited a side that blends experience with youthful exuberance. Players like Harry Kane, Declan Rice, and Phil Foden will be key to the campaign. The US-based tournament also offers a unique opportunity to connect with the growing American fanbase.
In the end, Southgate's message of enjoying the journey resonates beyond results. Whether England finally ends 60 years of hurt or falls short, the transformation he initiated has left an indelible mark on the national team.
Source: MSN News