Fan waves same homemade flag at eight World Cups

A football fan who has taken a large homemade flag to eight FIFA World Cups is "living his best life" after witnessing England beat tournament co-hosts Mexico. Paul Green, 68, a retired print worker from Upwell, Norfolk, near the Cambridgeshire border, first brought his distinctive Wisbech flag—adorned with the St George's Cross and Norwich City emblems—to the World Cup in Spain in 1982.

A flag's journey across decades

Green and his trusty flag, which he estimates has traveled "around 50,000 miles" (80,000 km) over 44 years, have attended all five England fixtures at the 2026 competition. He has spent £9,000 pre-booking tickets for all potential England games. "As long as they keep winning, I will be there," he added. Optimistically, his flight home is scheduled for two days after the final.

Memorable matches and gracious hosts

Green paid tribute to an exceptional team performance by England. "To beat Mexico in their own back yard was just unbelievable and every one of those players were heroes," he said. Despite initial apprehension about the reaction of passionate Mexican fans if England won, Green was pleasantly surprised. "I had no need to worry, as they were so gracious in defeat and they bought us beers, tequila and they partied the night away with us," he added.

World Cup travels and flag care

Green said his flag has accompanied him to Spain in 1982, Italy in 1990, France in 1998, Japan in 2002, Germany in 2006, South Africa in 2010, and Moscow in 2018. He takes meticulous care of it. "After England beat Mexico this week I had to hang my flag up in my hotel room and use a hair dryer on it, it was drenched," he said.

Green is now heading to Cancun for a couple of beach days, then on to Miami for Saturday's quarter-final against Norway. "It's coming home, unless it's not, just believe," he said.

Social media buzz

Social media has been abuzz with comments about Green and his 44-year-old Wisbech flag. One post said: "Flying the flag for Wisbech, keep it up and bring it home." Other comments included "everyone's playing spot the [Wisbech] flag tonight" and "keep the flag flying Greeny."