Football fans all over the world are counting down to World Cup 2026.
Can Harry Kane and the rest of the team emulate the heroes of 1966 when the Three Lions lifted the trophy on home soil. Only time will tell.
But as we get ready for this year’s tournament which is co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, let’s have a look at some of the quirky events which came out of Sunderland and Roker Park that year.
For instance, we wonder if you knew that the Russian team ‘adopted’ a two year old local boy as their mascot, or that two Chile supporters brought a flag 5,000 miles with them to Sunderland.
And then there’s the tale of the Italian fans who came to watch their heroes - and they were a group of bakers who came to Wearside from Kendal.
We have these great facts and many more in this gallery of Sunderland Echo photo memories.
5. A meeting with King Charley Hurley
Twelve football supporters from Westphalia, in Germany, decided to come to Sunderland for a look around. Little did they know that The King Charley Hurley would be there to greet them. | se
6. A sign of the Chilean times
The Chile team stayed at a hotel in Gateshead but played group matches at Sunderland and Middlesbrough. Some of the players signed this huge decorative football which was on show in the Roker Park Club. | se
7. A huge job ahead
The world's press descended on Wearside in 1966 and it was a huge job to look after them. These girls were tasked with administrative duties during World Cup fortnight at the Press Centre at Wearmouth Hall and at Roker Park. | se
8. Such loyal support
Russia and Chile battle it out in a World Cup group match at Roker Park in 1966. But did you know that a solitary Chilean flag waved by two supporters greeted the arrival of the Chile World Cup football squad when they arrived in the North East. The banner was carried 5,000 miles from Chile by fanatical supporters Patricio Gosselin and Nelson Abdul-Malak. | se