England fans disappointed that Lionesses left Heathrow via side exit

Dozens of fans gathered at Heathrow but were unable to meet the Lionesses. Credit: PA/Andrew Matthews

English fans waiting at London Heathrow Airport hoping to meet the lionesses returning from the Women's World Cup were disappointed after the players left the airport via a private gate.

Sarina Wigman's team , who reached the final of the Women's World Cup for the first time in the country in a 1-0 defeat to Spain in Sydney on Sunday, flew home on a Qantas flight via Singapore and landed shortly after 6:15 am on Tuesday morning at Heathrow Terminal 3.< /p>

However, in recent years it has become standard practice for English teams — men's or women's — not to go through the arrivals section upon returning from overseas tournaments.

Sources told the Telegraph that the exit route would have been the same for security and logistical reasons had the team won the final, and that The 23 players had no say in the decision themselves.

The FA asked Heathrow airport officials and the police to warn fans that the players would not arrive via the arrivals area.

Fans should have been informed that England would not be passing through the arrivals area. Photo: PA/Andrew Matthews

The team was greeted by their fellow travelers upon their departure from Sydney at 15:10 local time on Monday. They were traveling in business class.

Toward the end of the 24-hour journey, traveling England was congratulated by the captain of flight QF1, who first told the players, speaking from the cockpit, “You should be so proud of the results you got there, outstanding.

“We understand that success comes from a great team that surrounds you, so to everyone else, medical staff, coaching staff, fans, families, we also understand that you play a big role in this. Congratulations to all of you.

«Special message to the distinguished Captain Millie Bright, we understand that it's your birthday [Bright turned 30 on Monday 21].

«Congratulations to all of you , it was an honor to have you on board.”< /p>FA to create travel club for England fans.

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In the next few years, the FA will create the Lionesses touring club. months, according to Telegraph Sport, after England reached the final of the Women's World Cup in Sydney.

Growing demand from fans to travel overseas to watch The Lionesses has fueled this idea and the concept should work similarly to the England Men's National Team Supporters Travel Club, where traveling fans can purchase tickets for England men's international matches.

The FA is expected to work closely with the Football Fans Association (FSA) on the project, just like the men's game. Benefits will include helping fans buy tickets together at the away venue and making it easier for groups to travel. The FSA and fan group Free Lionesses organized fan events in Australia during the 2023 World Cup.

An FA spokeswoman told Telegraph Sport: “The English fans who came to Australia to support us have done a great job. Clearly, there is a need for a travel club to support fans who want to travel to support the Lionesses, and we will be establishing an official Lionesses travel club in the coming months. We would also like to thank the FSA for the great support they have given to traveling fans here in Australia.”

Back home, more than 12 million people watched England's defeat to Spain in the final. BBC One, as well as an additional 3.9 million plays on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport Online, and additional viewers on ITV that have yet to be confirmed.

But those BBC figures alone have topped 11.7 million viewers , who tuned in for the 2019 Semi-Final against Team USA, who used to be Britain's most watched Women's World Cup crowd, even though the Euro 2022 final remains the most watched women's football match.