Prince William has helped plot England’s bid for World Cup glory. The football-mad Royal had a secret meeting with Three Lions’ manager Thomas Tuchel and his backroom staff as they ironed out their plans to end 60 years of hurt.
The Prince of Wales was given VIP insight into how the national team intends to win the biggest World Cup in history. He chewed over with Tuchel and his advisers how to deliver the trophy the nation has craved since its only major international success in 1966.
William, 43, told the Three Lions’ staff he believed it would be ‘one of the hardest World Cups’ ever. But he said he was convinced they will ‘rise to the occasion and deliver’.
His input was said to be ‘informed and valuable’. William, who was in Istanbul to see his beloved Aston Villa win the Europa League a fortnight ago, is expected to jet out to the United States to cheer on England in person.
Sources say his appearances will be coordinated to help deliver the maximum possible boost to the squad when they most need it.
“The players are aware just how much the Prince of Wales is backing them,” a source said.
“What they might not know is just how involved he has been behind the scenes at this World Cup.
“They weren’t there when he met the boss and the backroom staff who went through every aspect of their plan.
“It was top secret stuff. The Prince knows just how big a boost it would be for the nation if England could bring home that trophy and is determined to do all he can to help make it happen.
“It could be a World Cup delivered by Royal appointment.”
The Prince, who is patron of the Football Association, made a surprise visit to England’s HQ at St George’s Park, Staffs, after Tuchel named his 26-player squad.
It was not included on the Royals’ public schedule and described afterwards as a routine visit to wish the backroom staff well ahead of their trip to the US where they are currently in pre-tournament training.
During the visit he was presented with a No20 shirt to mark his 20th anniversary as FA President.
But the Prince’s involvement ran much deeper.
According to England Football he was ‘given an insight into the tournament plans’.
He ‘spent time with a wide range of colleagues working behind the scenes from coaches and analysts shaping tactics and performance, to medical, nutrition and sports science teams responsible for player welfare and recovery’.
The Prince ‘also met those managing the complex logistics of international football, including travel, security, operations, media and player support, as well as the kit and facilities staff’.
He also chatted privately over a team tactics board with Tuchel.
The Prince told the England staff: “I just wanted to take the opportunity to see the team behind the team and to say thank you and good luck to all of you guys who don’t get as much acknowledgement or credit as you deserve.
“It’s a big team that gets on that plane. It’s a big team that looks after them.
“Not everyone gets to see the hard work you put in and the success of the players comes from the foundations you built, so thank you.
“It’s not going to be an easy tournament as you well know.
“It’s going to be one of the hardest World Cups there’s probably been in the modern era.
“But I have no doubt you’ll rise to the occasion and deliver on all the things that you do so brilliantly.”
Sources said German boss Tuchel ‘struck up a football bond’ with the Prince and was impressed by his knowledge and enthusiasm.
The manager praised the work of his technical team to the future King and highlighted the evolution of the England set-up over the years.
“It gets bigger and bigger the team behind the team,” he told him.
“So many specialists from nutritionists to analysts and the set-pieces.”