How England’s World Cup progress gives us a shot at a hopeful future | Hugh Muir

Can the government replicate the communal moments created by a diverse English football team to boost the national mood?

“Oh, to be in England / Now that April’s there,” wrote Browning, but he might have looked at that again after last weekend and decided it could bear revision. “Oh, to be in England’s capital as Gareth Southgate’s team march nonchalantly into the World Cup semi-finals,” perhaps. When people meet the glances of others, smile and know exactly what they are thinking. When strangers, merry and giddy, connect on the trains that usually symbolise an urban dystopia. When young Britons of many complexions sport England shirts and look as though they had won a modest bet.

Related: England’s World Cup glory is showing us what healthy patriotism looks like | Nesrine Malik

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