World Cup opening week: England start strong as West Kent settles in for a summer of football

The first week of the 2026 World Cup has already given football fans plenty to talk about, and for England supporters it could hardly have started much better.

England opened their campaign with a 4-2 win over Croatia, a result that quickly lifted the mood around the tournament and gave fans hope that this could become another memorable summer. It is still very early, of course, and nobody wants to get carried away after one match, but a strong start always matters.

Across West Kent, the tournament is beginning to find its rhythm too. In Tonbridge, Sevenoaks, Tunbridge Wells and surrounding villages, England’s evening kick-offs make this World Cup easier to follow than some past tournaments. The next England match against Ghana is scheduled for Tuesday 23 June at 9pm UK time, followed by Panama on Saturday 27 June at 10pm UK time. Those are late finishes, especially for families and younger fans, but they are still much more watchable than middle-of-the-night fixtures.

For local pubs, bars and sports clubs, that timing could be important. A 9pm or 10pm England game gives people time to finish work, get home, meet friends or head out to watch the match. If England continue to perform well, West Kent could see the familiar tournament pattern return: flags in windows, busier pubs, nervous group chats, and everyone suddenly becoming an expert on team selection.

The opening week has also shown that the expanded 48-team World Cup may be more competitive than some people expected. There had been fears that a bigger tournament would mean too many one-sided matches, but several smaller nations and debutants have already made an impression. That has made the early group stage more interesting and less predictable.

One of the more unusual talking points has been the use of hydration breaks. They were introduced to protect players in hot conditions, but they are already dividing opinion. Some fans feel they interrupt the flow of the game, while managers appear to be using them as tactical pauses. Reports say the breaks have even been booed during some matches, including games involving England’s group.

There has also been plenty of star power. Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane and other big names have already been part of the early story, giving the tournament the kind of headline moments people expect from a World Cup. But just as important has been the energy from the host nations, with the United States, Mexico and Canada all helping to give the tournament a different feel.

For England, the task now is simple: build on the Croatia result and avoid turning a good start into wasted momentum. Ghana will be a serious test, and Panama will not be treated lightly if qualification is still on the line.

For West Kent fans, the World Cup is now properly underway. Whether people are watching from a pub in Tonbridge, a living room in Sevenoaks, a garden in Tunbridge Wells or a local sports club with friends, the next couple of weeks could decide whether this becomes just another tournament or one of those summers people remember.

The first week has had goals, surprises, debate and a strong England start. That is more than enough to get local football fever going.