1966: The World Cup that changed a nation

It’s six decades since England's remarkable World Cup victory, but what else was going on in 1966? Michael Calvin uncovers the hidden side of the famous football tournament

Published: July 17, 2026 at 10:02 AM

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The England men’s football team has missed out on the opportunity to replicate the nation’s most-heralded victory back in the 1966 World Cup, still one of the most celebrated moments in its sporting history. But what did the football tournament reveal about the state of the country that staged it back in the 1960s?

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Jon Bauckham talks to Michael Calvin about the forgotten stories of that remarkable summer – from diplomatic tensions and class divisions, to Middlesborough’s unexpected love affair with North Korea.

Authors

Jon BauckhamDigital commissioning editor

Jon Bauckham is the digital commissioning editor at HistoryExtra

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