About England's 1966 World Cup Win
England won the FIFA World Cup on Saturday 30 July 1966, defeating West Germany 4–2 after extra time at Wembley Stadium — still the only major men's international tournament England have ever won. Geoff Hurst scored a hat-trick, the only one ever scored in a men's World Cup final, and captain Bobby Moore lifted the Jules Rimet Trophy before a crowd of 96,924.
The match that stopped a nation
Helmut Haller put West Germany ahead on 12 minutes; Hurst equalised six minutes later. Martin Peters made it 2–1 with twelve minutes left, and England were seconds from victory when Wolfgang Weber scrambled an 89th-minute equaliser. In extra time came the most debated goal in football history: Hurst's shot crashed down off the crossbar and was ruled — on the advice of Azerbaijani linesman Tofiq Bahramov — to have crossed the line. Hurst settled it in the final minute as spectators spilled onto the pitch, prompting Kenneth Wolstenholme's immortal commentary: "They think it's all over... it is now!"
Sir Alf Ramsey's Wingless Wonders
Manager Alf Ramsey had predicted three years earlier that England would win the 1966 tournament. His tactical innovation — abandoning traditional wingers for a compact 4-4-2 — earned his side the nickname the Wingless Wonders. The team featured Gordon Banks in goal, the Charlton brothers Bobby and Jack, and West Ham's trio of Moore, Hurst and Peters.
The long wait since
No England men's team has reached a World Cup final since. The closest calls: semi-final defeats in 1990 and 2018, and defeats in the finals of Euro 2020 and Euro 2024. England's women, by contrast, ended their wait by winning Euro 2022 at Wembley.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days since England won the World Cup?
The live counter on this page shows the exact number of days since England won the World Cup on 30 July 1966, updating every second.
How many years since England won the World Cup?
The live counter on this page shows the exact years and days since England won the World Cup in 1966. The years figure updates in real time.
How many weeks since England won the World Cup?
The live counter on this page shows the precise number of weeks elapsed since England won the World Cup on 30 July 1966.
What day of the week was England's 1966 World Cup win?
England's 1966 World Cup win was on a Saturday, 30 July 1966.
When is the next anniversary of England's 1966 World Cup win?
The anniversary of England's 1966 World Cup win falls each year on 30 July. The stats box above shows exactly how many days until the next one.