A Surprising Revelation: Lewis Hamilton Chooses to Support Brazil over England in the 2026 World Cup

KOMPAS.com - The seven-time Formula 1 World Champion, Lewis Hamilton has made a shocking revelation amidst the hype leading up to the 2026 World Cup. Despite being from England, the 41-year-old driver openly admitted that his heart wasn’t fully invested in his country’s national team participating in the grand tournament.

Lewis Hamilton, a self-confessed football enthusiast, is currently basking in the joy of his beloved club, Arsenal, winning the Premier League title. Concerning the English national team under the guidance of Thomas Tuchel, who is set to face Croatia, Ghana, and Panama in Group L, Hamilton surprisingly decides to show his support for another country.

The English team’s first match is scheduled for June 17, where they will face Croatia in Arlington, Texas.

During the recent Grand Prix Monaco event, Lewis Hamilton revealed that he has two favorite teams that he will be supporting throughout the tournament. Surprisingly, his top pick falls on Brazil – a country that holds a deep emotional connection with the English driver.

“For me, it’s the same as England,” Hamilton stated during an interview with Give Me Sport on June 6. “Honestly, Brazil has always been my favorite team.”

“Growing up in England, I love watching Brazil play. I think it's because of the colors, the culture, and the way the players look; they have a great style and are simply fantastic players.”

“I just appreciate where they come from. Many of the players come from streets where they play football barefoot, and there's something very special about Brazilian culture,” he added.

Lewis Hamilton's affection for Brazil isn’t fleeting. Since childhood, he has idolized the late Brazilian Formula One legend, Ayrton Senna. Their connection deepened when Hamilton received honorary Brazilian citizenship in 2022 and paid homage to the country by waving the Brazilian flag after winning the Brazilian GP in 2021.

A potential matchup between England and Brazil in this tournament has generated considerable attention. However, history shows that England has historically struggled against South American teams in major tournaments. The 2002 World Cup quarterfinals defeat at the hands of Ronaldinho's memorable free kick still lingers in the memories of Three Lions’ supporters.

With only four wins from their 27 encounters, the statistics paint a challenging picture for England if they were to face Brazil in the 2026 World Cup.