Sir Ian McKellen, the veteran British actor, enthusiastically shared words of motivation for the England football team ahead of their Round of 16 match in the FIFA World Cup 2026. Trying to bring fans together, the 83-year-old star lent his voice to the short film ‘Love Letter to England’, collaborating with award-winning playwright James Graham to answer the question: What is it to be English?Here’s a closer look at Sir Ian McKelleninspirational words to unite England fans for FIFA World Cup qualifier.
Ian McKellen hopes to bring fans together support England playoff match
As England approach their qualifier against the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sir Ian McKellen has released a short film urging fans to support the national team. This move follows the ‘National Conversation’ initiative produced last month, which invited fans to share their words and leave a 60-second note expressing their emotional view. “They say we’re missing a story, but ours is one of the oldest there is. That’s where the passion is – we’re nice,” the ‘X-Men’ star said in the short for The Sun, before adding: “However, we’re the roaring lions. They say our spirit is broken, but how we laugh and how we love. We know who we are at our best when we are together. Don’t let them tell you otherwise. We know who we are.”
When Ian McKellen spoke about the National Conversation
The commission shares the vision of bringing people together at a critical time. “The reason this commission nailed it is that instead of being top-down, it’s grassroots: you tell us what you want, based on your experience in your community. It’s a real conversation with people, offering insights into their lives and telling us what they’re missing, what they want and what they need,” he said, per The Guardian. ‘Love Letter to England’, the 1 minute 40 second short film, can be viewed on YouTube.