In a blend of sports passion and royal duty, Prince William, the heir to the British throne, is keeping his schedule clear for the potential grand finale of the World Cup — but only if England is playing. A fervent football aficionado, the Prince of Wales has long been intertwined with the sport, not just as a fan but also through his longstanding role as president of England’s Football Association, a position he held from 2006 to 2024.

Despite stepping down from the FA presidency, his love for the game and his favorite team, Aston Villa, remains unshaken. However, fans hoping to catch a glimpse of royalty during the World Cup matches will have to wait to see if England can advance to the final. Kensington Palace confirmed that Prince William plans to watch the semifinal at home with his family, holding off on any travel plans to the tournament unless England competes in the deciding match.

Meanwhile, Prince Harry, known for his preference for rugby over football, will also be absent from the World Cup festivities. Since moving to the U.S. in 2020 with his wife, Meghan Markle, Harry has been engaged with commitments that will keep him stateside throughout the duration of the tournament, regardless of England’s performance.

The royal brothers are not the only ones with a stake in international football. Across the channel, the Dutch royal family finds itself with divided loyalties due to Queen Máxima's Argentine origins. King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands shared on a recent podcast that while the couple supports the Netherlands in matches against Argentina, he roots for Argentina in other games, honoring an agreement made with his wife, who was born in the South American country.

As England and Argentina progress in the tournament, royal watchers and football fans alike will have their eyes on both the field and the stands, anticipating not only the outcomes of the games but also the potential appearance of these high-profile supporters. The question remains: Will football be coming home, and if so, will Prince William make his way to the stadium to witness it firsthand? Only the upcoming matches will tell.