Football Dominated by the Working Class: Why It Has a Global Appeal That Other Sports Can Only Dream Of

The final whistle blew for Spain last night at the World Cup final 2026 and it had me thinking, there’s really no sport like this. Millions upon millions were in the crowds and through the screens throughout the tournament. It is the most unifying human experience in modern day times.

I’m not a premier league follower, I couldn’t tell you which team won the most recent league, but I always follow the Euros and World Cup, both the men’s and women’s tournaments. Mainly due to it being much more of an event, as every pub is showing the matches and there’s football fever everywhere, also because we all support the same team. 

I can’t stand the agro that regular league can bring, there’s something about grown men physically fighting over their teams playing that will never compute with me, and that tense feeling spreads throughout the city where they’re playing, which swamps the rest of the society– train delays, police presence, injuries and a lawlessness mentality. They fight leg and limb for Doncaster rovers. Doncaster rovers. 

Sheffield isn’t only built on seven hills, it’s also the foundation of English football, which is now a global phenomenon. The world's first football team, Sheffield FC was born 24^th October 1857 by William Prest and Nathaniel Creswick. Not only is my city the birthplace of some of the best music ever made and the greenest views, it’s also the holy place for the beautiful game. 

As history goes, football was initially coded by the wealthy students at English public schools in the mid 19^th century, but this quickly revised into the hands of the working class during the Industrial Revolution, factory workers began to form teams and make it a regular play - so it became part of the English past time, low on cash but high on adrenaline. The football association (FA) became a legalized standard in 1885, to accompany the growing teams. 

Although the rules may have initially been written by the posh privately educated, the hobby, love and deep-rooted passion for the game sits proudly within the working class of this country, which has made it into the legacy it holds today. 

An insightful peek into the history and classism of football is told through a great Netflix series ‘The English Game’. 

Other than football and boxing, sports are dominated and ruled by the rich and privately educated. Cricket, tennis, F1, horse racing, athletics and rugby are instilled within the upper class. This is primarily due to private schools having the coaches, facilities, budget and time to train and excel young talent. With the huge addition of their parent’s bottomless pocket of money for private lessons, tournaments, kit and so on. Making sporting dreams an easy reality for those already on the upper hand in life. 

This is a very similar situation to the creative arts, and both sectors aren’t simply professions or careers granted upon finishing a degree, it takes years, thousands and rigorous practice outside of work/school to craft a skill and be a serious competitor in both. The working class don’t have a pinch of that luxury. 

Of course, state schools offer extra curricular sports activities, but the individuals won’t have half as much exposure, time, expertise coaching or money behind them and so ‘reality’ kicks in, and those passions must become hobbies, not a career.

I’m sure there will be a staggering amount of missed talent in most English sports teams, not because the skills weren’t there, but they simply weren’t born into a particular family or tax bracket. Who knows, England could’ve dominated every sport, like we do football, if the playing field was level for all. 

When watching the World Cup, it was incredibly satisfying seeing and hearing that the majority, and all its key players are from working class, state educated background. They pursued their dreams through pure skill and belief, many through turbulent childhoods, such as the inspirational Marcus Rashford. Their route to professional football was a distant and deemed unreachable goal, but they’ve defied all odds. Most of the great football stars, like Ian Wright, are from working class backgrounds, it's not uncommon, but it should still be a highlighted talking point, as it's still so rare in English sport.

However, the English rugby team is a very different tale, where the 2026 team is predominately made up of privately educated players. The 2026 Six Nations squad set up saw 20 out of 36 players had a private education, as well as 18 out of 25 players in the Enhanced Elite Player squad. This is roughly the same picture for every other sport than boxing in England. 

I believe this is why football has such a grip on the British nation, and now the globe. For us British football is part of our culture, it’s ingrained in our city’s landscapes, our school memories, the annual calendar and weekend activities. It really is part of the DNA of Britain. 

We don’t just support the game, we support the players; most of whom come from the same streets we have, suffered the same struggles, we have. It’s a team made up on behalf of the average person; they represent all of us. I adore how this is so easily captured on and off the pitch, there’s no prim and proper outfits or post match interviews, its raw and unedited emotions, of real humble people. 

Wimbledon is known as an iconic British summertime tournament, and there’s no doubt that strawberries and cream bring an iconic British delight, but the crowds are made up of celebrities and influencers, paid or styled to be there on behalf of a brand. Whereas football stadiums are packed with real supporters, who’ve saved wages upon wages and booked annual leave to follow their team through to the semi-final. There's very little room or need to pack the rich and famous in there, as the stadiums are alive with passion and presence already. 

Football supporters don’t see themselves as individuals, they're a community, I suppose the only slither of genuine community sprot left in modern society. A time to drink, hug, sing, cry, shout and overall share the experience of supporting players who are ‘just like us’. 

Hence why so many Americans have been enticed and fallen in love with the game, because they’ve seen the community it brings. Many American and international businessmen are obsessed with buying or owning English football clubs, because it’s the only sport that has truly stood the test of time and legacy. That’s doubled, tripled in supporters and will continue to grow globally, especially after large world-scale tournaments like the World Cup. 

It’s very similar to a religious experience; people gather, the bread and wine is transformed into crisp and beer, hymns turn to ‘Wonderwall’, joint prayers to the referee and Bellingham’s left (and right) foot, an unconditional belief in talent and winning. And we come back year on year to share the same practices. 

Anyone can join in on football support, there’s no dress code, class or wage restriction (other than FIFA taking advantage of loyal followers). No other sport has loyalty like football, people who’ve bought season tickets in the same seat for years on end. The team you support isn’t down to preference, but to family DNA on whether you’re United or Wednesday, City or United. 

Not only is the game shared by many, it’s FOR the many.

Football, it’s the people’s game. 

Long may it continue, and may other sports follow suit with broadening their horizons from the privileged gates of private schools and you may find the genuine talent you’ve always dreamed of.

Forever proud of the England football team, for their sheer dedication, gift and for representing the masses. 

Next, it’s the FIFA women’s World Cup, Brazil 2027. The lionesses have brought it ‘ome before, they can do it again!

Till next time, Jessie x