“There’s nothing like the World Cup,” says Gordon Ramsay, who was a professional footballer before he became a globally-renowned f-ing and blinding chef. “It brings back so many exciting memories growing up as a young kid, watching Scotland and England play. It just brought the whole family together in an incredible way.”
At this summer’s tournament, the US, Canada and Mexico share the hosting duties for what will be the biggest ever World Cup – 48 teams, and 104 matches; or as Ramsay puts it, “just under 40 days of absolute soccer obliteration. There’s going to be a lot of people calling in sick for work, let me tell you, it’s going to be one of the most exciting World Cups ever.”
To mark kick-off, we DM’d some famous friends of GQ and asked them to share the World Cup memory scorched into their souls. Some are happy, some are traumatic: all of them are getting us in the mood.
Tom Hiddleston: England at France 1998
“I really remember France ’98 because that was when I had just got into football. Euro ’96 had lit the fire in me so all those players, Shearer, Owen, Beckham are still kind of enshrined in glory for me. I looked up to them so much. But I also remember when we beat Colombia on penalties in 2018. That was a huge one. Yeah, with Southgate and Harry Kane stepping up to become the player that he is for England. He’s an icon and all the greats acknowledge the greatness.” Tom Hiddleston, Actor and Arsenal fan
Priya Ahluwalia: England vs Brazil 2002
“I remember being in primary school watching England v Brazil and Ronaldinho scored that ridiculous free kick which beat David Seaman. I was absolutely distraught but also in awe because it was such a freak goal at the time. I’ll never forget that moment! I also remember learning quite early on that the last time England won the World Cup was the year my mum was born, not that it’s ever made me lose hope!” Priya Ahluwalia, Fashion Designer and Arsenal fan
