The 2026 World Cup is now on the horizon and Thomas Tuchel's squad will hope to be the second England team to get their hands on the Jules Rimet Trophy.
England first won the World Cup in 1966 when they beat West Germany 4-2 at Wembley Stadium after extra-time in front of a crowd of over 96,000 fans.
We take a look at their route to the final.
England’s Route to the 1966 Final
Alf Ramsey built his team on discipline and organisation. He believed a strong defence and hard work were more important than individual flair. This practical approach shaped England's path to the final and became the team's defining identity.
Ramsey's team was famously called the "Wingless Wonders." They played a narrow 4-4-2 formation that packed the midfield. This system was designed to control the centre of the pitch, making the team difficult to break down defensively.
July 11, 1966: England 0–0 Uruguay
England's World Cup began at Wembley against Uruguay, two-time world champions renowned for their tough, defensive style. Ondino Viera's side was organised and aimed to frustrate the hosts, successfully stifling England's attack.
Despite the efforts of forwards Roger Hunt and Jimmy Greaves, Uruguay's goalkeeper Ladislao Mazurkiewicz was rarely troubled. The 0-0 draw was a nervy, tactical start for England, who were left with no room for error in the remaining group games.
July 16, 1966: England 2–0 Mexico
The second group game saw England face a spirited but less fancied Mexico side at Wembley. After a tense first half, the breakthrough came from an unlikely source: midfielder Bobby Charlton unleashed a spectacular long-range strike that flew past goalkeeper Ignacio Calderón.
That moment of individual brilliance settled the home team's nerves. Striker Roger Hunt then made the result safe, scoring a second goal later in the half. The 2-0 victory put England's campaign firmly back on track.
July 20, 1966: England 2–0 France
To guarantee winning the group, England needed a result against their rivals, France. Roger Hunt was the hero of the day, scoring twice to secure a professional 2-0 win at Wembley.
Hunt’s first goal came before half-time, and his second was a well-placed header from a cross by winger Ian Callaghan. The solid midfield performance, anchored by the tireless Nobby Stiles, ensured England progressed to the quarter-finals without conceding a single goal.
July 23, 1966: England 1–0 Argentina (Quarter-Final)
The quarter-final against Argentina was an aggressive and hostile encounter. The South American side was known for its cynical and physical approach, and the match descended into chaos when German referee Rudolf Kreitlein sent off their captain, Antonio Rattín.
With star striker Jimmy Greaves injured, his replacement Geoff Hurst stepped up. In a tight game with few chances, Hurst scored the only goal with a glancing header from a Martin Peters cross, sending England into the semi-finals after a bitter contest.
July 26, 1966: England 2–1 Portugal (Semi-Final)
Awaiting England at Wembley were the tournament's surprise package, Portugal. Their attack was led by the legendary Eusébio, the World Cup’s top scorer, making them a dangerous opponent.
It was England’s own superstar, Bobby Charlton, who decided the match. He scored two magnificent goals, one in each half, to give England a commanding lead. A late penalty from Eusébio, the first goal conceded by goalkeeper Gordon Banks all tournament, was not enough to stop England from reaching the final.
World Cup 1966 Final: England vs West Germany
The final at Wembley was against West Germany, a formidable and resilient team managed by Helmut Schön. The Germans struck first, with Helmut Haller capitalising on a defensive mistake to make it 1-0.
England, however, showed their character with a swift reply. Captain Bobby Moore took a quick free-kick, delivering a perfect cross for Geoff Hurst to head past goalkeeper Hans Tilkowski, levelling the score.
The game remained locked at 1-1 until late in the second half, when Martin Peters scored from close range to give England a 2-1 lead. With victory just seconds away, defender Wolfgang Weber scrambled home an equaliser for West Germany, forcing the final into extra time.
The most controversial moment in English football history came in extra time when Geoff Hurst's powerful shot struck the crossbar and bounced down. After a moment of uncertainty, Soviet linesman Tofiq Bahramov confirmed to the referee that the ball had crossed the line, giving England a 3-2 lead.
As the final whistle approached, Bobby Moore launched one last pass forward. Geoff Hurst ran clear and scored his third goal, becoming the only man to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final. The 4-2 victory was complete, and Queen Elizabeth II presented Bobby Moore with the Jules Rimet trophy.
Full England World Cup Winning Team
Player Name | Position |
|---|---|
Gordon Banks | Goalkeeper |
George Cohen | Right-back |
Jack Charlton | Centre-back |
Bobby Moore | Centre-back |
Ray Wilson | Left-back |
Nobby Stiles | Defensive midfielder |
Alan Ball | Right midfielder |
Sir Bobby Charlton | Centre midfielder |
Martin Peters | Left midfielder |
Sir Geoff Hurst | Striker |
Roger Hunt | Striker |
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