“It’s coming home, it’s coming home, football’s coming home!” England fans have been chanting that since Euro 96, but the Three Lions still haven’t won a trophy in the game’s modern era. Yet, the best England teams have still been among the strongest in European soccer, and there was that one legendary Three Lions side. These are the greatest England soccer teams in the sport’s history.
The 1966 to 1970 World Champions era remains the benchmark for English soccer teams. England won the FIFA World Cup at Wembley with a “Wingless Wonders” tactical framework. It was a team inspired by the immaculate defending of Bobby Moore, the goalkeeping brilliance of Banks, and the striking prowess of Jimmy Greaves and Geoff Hurst. Hurst was more of an understudy to Greaves, but his hat-trick in the 1966 World Cup final against Germany ensured a 4-2 triumph for the Three Lions.
Some pundits argue that the 1970 England team was even better than the 1966 side. It was the same generation of players in a more experienced and mature squad. Yet, England blew a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 against West Germany in a 1970 quarter-final match they should have won. If Banks had been in goal for that match, it might have been a different story.
The Three Lions team of 1990 was the first to reach a World Cup semi-final outside of England. This England side was inspired by the midfield brilliance of Paul Gascoigne, who lit up Italia 90 with brilliant passing, crucial assists, and super dribbling. Gary Lineker, one of England’s most prolific strikers, led the line for the Three Lions. This team also had Peter Shilton in goal, one of the finest keepers in England’s history. England succumbed to West Germany in a semi-final penalty shoot-out, but the Three Lions were a match for the eventual Italia 90 winners.
Former FA chief executive Adam Crozier once bragged that England had a golden generation of players after the Three Lions stuffed Germany 5-1 in Munich. That golden generation included players like David Beckham, Michael Owen, Rio Ferdinand, Steve Gerrard, Paul Scholes, Wayne Rooney, and Frank Lampard for the 2004 and 2006 European Championship and FIFA World Cup. There can be no question that this was a very strong generation of England players with trophy-winning potential.
In terms of results, England’s golden generation team of 2004 to 2006 fell slightly short of glory. The Three Lions reached the quarter-finals of the European Championship and World Cup. England lost both quarter-finals by the narrowest of margins on penalties. Thus, the penalty shoot-out hurdle haunted this great generation, which might have lifted silverware if it had got to grips with penalties better. Lampard later confirmed that Crozier’s golden generation boasting didn’t help England’s cause.
Southgate had one of the most exciting England soccer teams in decades during 2021. Players like Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, and Declan Rice injected some fresh youthful energy and quality into England for the 2021 European Championship campaign. Harry Kane’s prolific goalscoring and the creative brilliance of Raheem Sterling also propelled this England side to the European Championship final. This probably should have been the England team to end the Three Lions’ trophy drought at Wembley, but its younger players missed crucial penalties in the Euro final against Italy that ended 1-1.
The 2024 England team became the first Three Lions side to reach back-to-back European Championship finals. This was pretty much a team with the same core of players as the 2021 side, such as Bellingham, Kane, and Saka. It became the first England team to win a European Championship semi-final on foreign soil with a 2-1 win against Holland. Although the Three Lions lost 2-1 to Spain in the final, this England side’s elite attacking power and immense grit made it one of Europe’s best teams.
The current 2026 Three Lions side is another of the best England soccer teams in history after reaching a World Cup semi-final in North America. This team reached the tournament finals by winning a perfect eight qualifier games out of eight. Although England lost to Argentina in the semi-finals, there were some memorable wins against Croatia, Mexico, and France. The 6-4 playoff win against France secured a third-place finish for the Three Lions, making this England’s best World Cup since the glory of 1966.
Those best England soccer teams had some great players and were among the top sides in the world when at their best. Of course, only the 1966 side was the best team in the world for its era, and England has struggled to restore its glory in the men’s game. In terms of results, the current Three Lions side is the best England has had since winning the Jules Rimet trophy, having finished third and second in the World Cup and Euros. It will probably be one of the favorites to win the next European Championship with home UK advantage.
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