Qatar World Cup 2022 attended by Bradford City fans

A GROUP of Bradford City and England fans will be representing in Qatar as the Three Lions bid to end 56 years of hurt.

Gareth Southgate’s men kicked off their campaign in style with a 6-2 win against Iran on Monday and supporters hailing from the City of Culture 2025 were there to cheer the boys on.

A group of between 16 and 20 people from Bradford – including Bantams fans – are out in the Middle Eastern country for the greatest show on earth, with some having attended the first group game.

James Marsh, 39, of Thornton flew out from Manchester Airport to Doha this morning (Image: UGC)

James Marsh, 39, of Thornton, is itching to join the group and flew out to Doha from Manchester Airport with two others this morning.

He said: “It took me a couple of days to get up for it.

“It’s a strange one being in the middle of the season and at Christmas.

“But you know, what will be, will be.”

The 39-year-old has tickets for the USA and Wales games – England’s final matches in the group stage.

He is part of the England Supporters’ Club and has travelled home and away watching the Three Lions since 2015, including Russia in 2018 and at Wembley last year for the Euro 2020 final.

Mr Marsh is not too concerned about any potential issues in Qatar and remembers there was a similar rhetoric surrounding Russia.

Bradford City fans in Russia for the 2018 World Cup before England's semi-final against Croatia, including Mr Marsh (middle in blue) (Image: UGC)

He admits this World Cup is different to other tournaments but added the idea that alcohol and drinking is entirely banned is a “bit of a myth”.

Mr Marsh said: “We’ve booked in all the bars and hotels before, a bit like Covid over here, that’s what we’ve done.”

He added: “It’s not as dry as people might expect.”

Mr Marsh is looking forward to the event which he thinks will have a party atmosphere and lots of happy people, despite the controversies.

He said: “It’s a strange one, I don’t agree with all the politics of Qatar.

“For us as England fans it’s more for the football than anything else.

“We have to respect the culture.”

He added: “You’ve got to be wise, you can’t go carrying on being drunk on the street, however when we’ve been away this year, in Germany and Italy, you’ve still got to behave.”

Jude Bellingham leaps to score his first England goal, as the Three Lions beat Iran 6-2 in their first game in the Qatar 2022 World Cup (Image: PA/Mike Egerton)

If England make it all the way, Bradford will be represented at the final in the Lusail Iconic Stadium, with Mr Marsh having secured a conditional ticket dependent on the Three Lions’ performance.

He said: “If they make it, I’ll be coming back for that.”

Mr Marsh at Wembley for one of England's games at Euro 2020 last year (Image: UGC)