Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris Reveal Split Loyalties for football World Cup 2026

The Formula 1 stars, who have eight World Championships between them, were both born in England but have strong affinities to other nations. Good mate of Brazilian superstar Neymar, Hamilton can’t hide his love of Brazil. He was made an honorary citizen in 2022. He grew up admiring the São Paulo-born Aryton Senna, whose passion and skill the Brit wanted to emulate.

Once he’d started visiting the country, and, of course, racing at Interlagos, where he’s won three times, his affection for Brazil was cemented.

Asked by ESPN if he had a prediction on how he thought the tournament would go, the Ferrari driver admitted it was too difficult to call. But he said he always loved watching Brazil play and will keep a “close eye on what England is doing”.

Norris, on the other hand, supports both England and Belgium. He was born in Bristol to Adam and Cisca Norris. Cisca was originally from Belgium’s Flanders region, a heritage that inspired her to name her son, Lando.

The McLaren ace told ESPN that he knows a “good amount of the boys in England” and will be cheering them on. However, “I know my mum will want me [to support] Belgium at the same time.”

Norris says the biggest thing in football for him is seeing the best players at the top of their game. For that reason, he always tries to find time to watch Messi and Argentina, as well as Ronaldo and Portugal. But the ideal final for him would be England versus Belgium.

During a recent press conference, Hamilton joked with journalists that England fans shouldn’t sing Baddiel and Skinner’s song, Three Lions, until the national team has actually lifted the trophy.

Originally released in 1996 for the Euros, the track, recorded with the Lightning Seeds, has become the defining anthem for fans every time major international tournaments arrive.

While the song’s chorus chimes with the words, “It’s coming home”, alas, the World Cup still hasn’t fallen into English hands since 1966. That hasn’t stopped supporters singing it in stadiums, in fanzones and even in living rooms around the country.

It’s hard not to during a World Cup summer when it’s playing on the radio constantly. It’s the musical accompaniment to tournament excitement taking hold of everything from TV and gaming to personal hygiene and fast food.

There are classic match re-runs on the BBC, Lynx unveiled a commemorative limited edition body spray, and McDonald’s has created packaging for its Big Macs and Quarter Pounders to mark the occasion. Elsewhere, new iGaming titles like Goal Bonanza and 9 Balls have been released on bingo sites and online casinos as football fever grips the nation.

While Hamilton’s tongue-in-cheek request for Three Lions to be shelved until the trophy has actually returned to the country that birthed the sport holds weight, there’s no sign yet that the song has lost its patriotic appeal. In fact, with each passing year, it appears to be even more symbolic of national footballing pride.

The divided loyalties of Hamilton and Norris ultimately underline how global their identities — and modern fandom — have become. Yet despite their affections being shared between Brazil and Belgium, both these F1 greats will still be watching England closely. Indeed, their split allegiances add a uniquely British twist to World Cup fever.