World Cup News
Feeling gutted? Five ways to cope with England's World Cup defeat
England are out of the World Cup after Argentina's dramatic comeback to beat them 2-1 in the semi-finals. Harry Kane and the team took the lead early in the second half in Atlanta, but could not hang on. As fans reel from the painful defeat, here are some tips for coping with the dashed hopes of a place in the final. Losing at football can cause more of a sting than in other sports, says Dr Martha Newson from the University of Greenwich. "Few people are going to cry and get upset about whoever loses Wimbledon," explains the behavioural scientist. "Football is different… we talk about the national team like it's us out there." For supporter Oli Portlock, an England loss feels like a "national funeral… a big grey cloud over the nation when England's been knocked out". The 27-year-old recalls the "absolute heartbreak" of England's defeat to Italy in the Euro 2020 final at Wembley. "It certainly ruined the next week in work for me." Recognising the feeling of pain is an important step, says Dr David Crepaz-Keay from the Mental Health Foundation. But don't get too worried, he says, because the emotional dip "typically fades within a couple of hours". So if you feel like you are wallowing in misery, ride it out and tell yourself it's just part of the process. "For me, it's probably trying to reflect on all the great memories I've created throughout the tournament," says Oli, who followed England from his hometown of Preston to the US. Disappointed fans might lift their spirits by rewatching Harry Kane bring England back from the brink against DR Congo, or Jude Bellingham score twice in 98 seconds against Mexico to help clinch a spot in the quarter-finals. Or it might be memories of staying up that extra hour after severe storms prompted a 02:00 BST kick-off, or crowding into packed pubs during a record-breaking heatwave to catch the earlier games. Oli suggests listening to music that reminds you of the successes - Wonderwall for this year or Sweet Caroline for Euro 2020 - rather than focusing on the disappointment. England fan Jayne Howells, 54, agrees, and cautions against trying to find mistakes or ascribe blame in anger. "A lot of these players… they're going to be gutted as well. It's not about knocking them down, but saying they actually did really well. That's how you make a stronger team." Crepaz-Keay advises fans to "see the funny side where you can" and remember "the things that went well". 'The perfect football song': Why England fans and players love Wonderwall Instead, both he and Newson say sharing your disappointment is one of the best ways to get over the hurt. The best thing to dissipate that frustration, Crepaz-Keay says, is to "talk about it, rant about it" and get through it quickly, in the right way, with the right people. Supporter Oli agrees, saying "talking with mates down the pub" helps you to remember you're "on the same page" with the sting. "It does evoke disappointment," he admits, but it helps to "get it out of your system". If you find yourself reaching for the crisps or cookies, it is not all down to a lack of willpower. "We do find that fans consume more calories after a loss," Newson says, probably due to an unconscious "evolutionary" desire to protect yourself after losing. Everyone has different ways of coping, she says, but the important thing is to "trust your instincts" - and being with others, resting, and opening up tend to be the best options. "Getting outside and being active will help," advises Crepaz-Keay, even if that means walking and singing on your way home from a match to expend some energy. For Andy Taylor, 38, who followed England to both New York and Boston, getting back to his normal routine is what helps. He says it is the "day-to-day bits" - like walking the dog and going for a run, as well as reflecting on the positives - that help to boost his mood. His first tournament - Euro 1996, where Germany dashed England's hopes in a tense semi-final - was "devastating", but he could always look forward to another game. "England football will always be there," says Andy. "Even if we don't win, I've got amazing memories to cling to. We were there and I'll never get over that."
FIFA.com16 Jul 2026
