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talkSPORT fans have settled the never-ending ‘Club vs Country’ debate.
And unfortunately for the Home Nations, it’s a landslide victory for clubs in the football pyramid.
Whenever there is an international break or major tournament, fans are always asked whether they favour national team success over the club they follow.
To finally get an answer to the age-old question, a survey was sent out from talkSPORT Dugout last week, with 503 fans getting involved.
And the results show that 82 per cent of fans are more passionate about club football as opposed to their national side.
To break that down even further, just 13 per cent are in favour of their country, meanwhile five per cent do not care either way.
Those that voted in favour of their clubs were asked to give their reasoning, with some citing a deeper personal connection as others argued international fixtures are a hindrance to the football schedule.
One fan said: “I feel more connected to my club as it’s local to me, and I attend all matches.
“The country team feels remote and is mostly based around a part of the country I don’t live in.”
Another remarked: “England play too many inferior nations, and internationals often ‘get in the way’ of Premier League matches. Watching England is so underwhelming.”
A third added: “Club football is the bread and butter of the regular game.
“It’s day-to-day, week-in-week-out, whereas the national team only comes around occasionally.”
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However, this supporter that voted in favour of their country, stated: “I love national pride and togetherness during an international tournament. It brings the whole country together.”
Agreeing with that sentiment, this respondent argued: “Because it’s supposed to represent us all, to unite us all as football fans. The prestige of national success outweighs domestic success.”
Of those that took part in the survey, 96 per cent of fans insisted they were deeply passionate about club football – 22 per cent more than international games.
In terms of viewership, 56 per cent of fans watch every club match, with 39 per cent attending every home fixture and 26 per cent purchasing shirts on a yearly basis.
It’s a stark contrast to internationals, with a mere 30 per cent watching games, with four per cent going to the fixtures and just five per cent buying new strips.
Unsurprisingly, 82 per cent of the respondents support England in major competitions, followed by Scotland [eight], Republic of Ireland [four], Wales [three], Northern Ireland [one], with other nations making up two per cent.
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Those England nationals were then asked would they rather the Three Lions lift the World Cup, or their club scoop the FA Cup.
It was victory for England in that battle – but only just.
Only 59 per cent went for international glory, compared to 41 that were in favour of winning world football’s oldest domestic trophy.
Fans that were in favour of England glory declared that is because the World Cup only comes around every four years – while some stated their teams have enough FA Cups in the cabinet.
One said: “My club has won multiple FA Cups. England has never won a major competition in my lifetime and I want to live that experience so much.”
Another added: “Because it has only happened once before [in 1966] and only comes round every hour years.”
For some, club silverware is everything, as one fan explained: “I want my son to see the success and the failure that I’ve endured. The World Cup was before my time. The history is nice but that’s all.”
Meanwhile this supporter said: “Because as a club you want to win and before I go out of this world, I would love to see my club win the cup.”
And while Thomas Tuchel has been tipped to end England’s trophy drought, fans seemingly aren’t loving the current crop of stars.
Only 53 per cent of the England fans that took part in the survey like the current side, with 14 per cent disliking the squad and 33 per cent being indifferent.
Those that don’t like the squad have stated that is because they don’t agree with the squad selection, they’re too safe in possession and quite simply, they aren’t winners.
As we approach the upcoming World Cup in 2026, Tuchel will be hoping fans buy into the team, with numbers swaying in favour of international football.
