Sir Ian McKellen, the veteran British actor, passionately shared encouraging words for the England football team ahead of their Round of 32 match in FIFA World Cup 2026. In an attempt to reunite fans, the 83-year-old star lent his voice for the short film ‘Love Letter to England,’ collaborating with award-winning playwright James Graham to answer the question. What is English?Here’s a closer look at Sir Ian McKellenHis inspiring words to unite England fans for the knockout match of the FIFA World Cup.
Ian McKellen hopes to reunite fans with: support England: knockout game
As England approaches their knockout match against DR Congo, Sir Ian McKellen released a short film asking fans to support the national team. This move follows the ‘National Conversation’ initiative launched last month, which invited fans to share their words and leave a 60-second note expressing their emotional views. “They say we lack a story, even though ours is some of the oldest there is. There they have love; we are respectful,” said the star of ‘X-Men’ in the short film to The Sun, before adding, “But we are the lions that roar. 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 a vision of bringing people together at a critical time. “The reason that this commission nailed it is that instead of top down, it’s at the grassroots: you tell us what you want, based on your experience in your community. It’s an actual conversation with people, to offer ideas about their lives and to tell us what they miss, 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.