World Cup 2026 Tips

Betfair survey shows Palmer beating Starmer as fans choose footy over politics this summer

  • Joe Dyer
  • Published on
  • 2:30 min read
Image for Betfair survey showing football beating politics in Summer 2026
Who do you choose? Palmer or Starmer?

It's football 1-0 politics as fans choose the national game this summer according to a Betfair survey...

  • Brits trust Cole Palmer more than Sir Keir Starmer
  • 70% of Brits think Harry Kane delivers better under pressure than Sir Keir Starmer
  • Almost three quarters of Brits would rather talk about football than politics this summer
  • More than half would prefer England won the World Cup to their political party winning the next general election
  • For the latest football odds on Betfair click here

Fans unite behind England World Cup win

Betfair today reveal that football fans will overwhelmingly put aside their political differences this summer, to unite behind England and the World Cup.

Almost three quarters (68%) of those surveyed said they would rather talk about football than politics this summer, with a quarter (24%) preferring to talk about Westminster than the World Cup.

And almost two thirds of respondents (61%) believe that England winning the World Cup would do more to bring the country together than a change of government.

While more than double those surveyed (37%) would choose Thomas Tuchel as their next Prime Minister over Sir Keir Starmer as England manager (16%).

Campaign Football v Politics result call out 2.jpg

Kane, Bellingham, Palmer all beating Starmer

Commissioned by Betfair, and carried out in partnership with YouGov, the survey tested the temperature of the country ahead of this summer's World Cup, which England go into as third favourites at 13/27.50.

The results also revealed that: 

  • 70% of Brits think Harry Kane delivers better under pressure than Sir Keir Starmer, with just 15% backing the Prime Minister
  • More than three quarters (78%) say they're more likely to stick with their football team than political party, if they were under-performing
  • Almost two thirds of Brits would choose to stop talking about politics forever, rather than football
  • Brits think Jude Bellingham (31%) would do the best job at No.10 this summer. Only 16% backed Sir Keir Starmer.
  • And, when asked who they trusted more to deliver for their country, 35% picked Cole Palmer ahead of Starmer, with just 29% backing the PM

Betfair x YouGov survey data call outs in full

Who do the public trust more to deliver for their country?

Brits trust Cole Palmer more than Sir Keir Starmer. Over a third of the public believe Chelsea's talisman is more likely to deliver this summer than the current Prime Minister is in office.

Who delivers better under pressure?

70% of Brits think Harry Kane delivers better under pressure than Sir Keir Starmer, with just 15% backing the current PM.

What would you rather talk about this summer?

Almost three quarters of Brits would rather talk about football than politics this summer with football taking 68% of the vote.

Which would you rather happen?

More than half of the survey vote would prefer England won the World Cup to their political party winning the next general election. England are currently 13/2 third favourites to bring football home.

Hypothetically, which do you prefer?

More than double the number of Brits would prefer Thomas Tuchel became Prime Minister than Sir Keir Starmer becoming England manager. Wouldn't that be something!

Which would do more to bring the country together?

Almost two thirds agree that England winning the World Cup would bring the country together more than a change of government. While 78% believe they're more likely to stick with their football team than their political party when they're under-performing.

If you had to stop talking about one forever, which would it be?

Almost two thirds of Brits would choose to stop talking about politics forever, rather than football

Who would do the best job for England at 'number 10'?

Brits think Jude Bellingham would do the best job at No.10 this summer. Ahead of Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers, and Sir Keir Starmer...

Which do the public understand better?

Almost two thirds of Brits say they understand football tactics better than political tactics - but 67% say they'd rather their country elected a world-class leader than their club signing a world-class striker  


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