Why did Ed Sheeran secretly visit England's World Cup camp in Kansas? Real reason explained

Ed Sheeran made a secret visit to England's World Cup base in Kansas City last week, performing an acoustic set for Thomas Tuchel's squad days before their 3-2 Round of 16 win over Mexico.

The England team released footage of the gig on their app Tuesday, showing the 35-year-old singer playing "Castle on the Hill" for players and staff during downtime.The visit is the latest chapter in a friendship between Sheeran and the squad that goes back five years, and it lands at a pivotal moment as England prepare for a quarterfinal against Norway.

England receives surprise boost as Ed Sheeran makes secret World Cup camp visit

Sheeran's appearance was not a one-off. He first joined the squad during the delayed Euro 2020 tournament in 2021, an arrangement captain Harry Kane set up personally.

He has returned for major tournaments since, including a visit ahead of England's 2024 European Championship quarterfinal against Switzerland. Sheeran, a lifelong Ipswich Town fan who owns a minority stake in the club, described the relationship as an easy fit with the squad, saying the atmosphere among the players has never felt like "a tough crowd" to perform for.

How the Mexico win set up a Norway showdown

England's path to the quarterfinals has not been simple. They beat DR Congo 2-1 in the Round of 32 despite conceding an early goal, then delivered a statement result against Mexico at Estadio Azteca, becoming the first team ever to beat Mexico in Mexico City at a World Cup.

That win booked a quarterfinal date with Norway in Miami on July 12, a matchup that pits Kane, who has scored six goals this tournament, against Norway's Erling Haaland, who has scored seven.

Jude Bellingham has added four goals of his own as England chase a first World Cup title since 1966.

What comes next for England

England flew back to Kansas City on Monday and used the day for recovery before shifting focus to Norway. Sheeran, for his part, is already looking further ahead.

Asked to predict the final, he said, "I think it'll be an England-France final." Whether that prediction holds depends on what happens against Haaland and Norway first, a test that will say far more about England's title chances than any pregame singalong.England will face Norway on Saturday night's World Cup quarterfinal, with a potential semifinal showdown against Argentina on the horizon after the defending champions staged a dramatic comeback from 2-0 down to beat Egypt and book their place in the last eight.Check out England's World Cup 2026 fixtures, schedule and potential path to the finals–

* If England advances.