T20 WC: If we win title, it could inspire England football team in FIFA World Cup, says Jos Buttler

England captain Jos Buttler said that if his men can win the T20 World Cup final against Pakistan, it could inspire the English football team to pull off an encore in the FIFA World Cup in Qatar next month.

England will take on Pakistan in the final of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Melbourne on Sunday.

"Yeah, I certainly hope so," Buttler said when he was asked if the football team could take a leaf out of the cricket team.

"Sport is such a huge part of English culture, and getting behind teams in World Cups is certainly something I know happens a lot in England.

"Even though we're on the other side of the world, you can certainly feel that support," Buttler said on the eve of the final against Pakistan.

England are clubbed with Iran, Wales and the USA in group B of the FIFA World Cup.

"The images you see of the Euros, obviously, nothing will compete with football in our country. Of course the game is going to be on free-to-air television, which is fantastic, will bring new eyes to the game," said the skipper-keeper.

Buttler believes that while no one will be watching on the big screen in Trafalgar Square



at 8 a.m. British Standard Time, TV sets will be turned on due to the renewed interest in cricket following England's World Cup victory in 2019.

"We saw the benefit of that in 2019 with some of the images of people watching that game and Trafalgar Square being packed out and stuff.

"I am not sure they'll be getting up at 8:00 in the morning to get to Trafalgar Square, but I am sure there will be plenty back home wishing us well, as we do to the other teams that you mentioned who have got some big games ahead of themselves, as well."

"Obviously, Pakistan is a fantastic team. I think they have a very long history of producing excellent fast bowlers.

"I'm sure by the end of their careers, some of the guys who we'll play against will go down as some of the best bowlers Pakistan have produced. That's a huge part of why they get to a World Cup final."

Having played Pakistan in a seven-match away series, Buttler is aware of the challenges.

"We expect a really tough challenge, as mentioned before. They're a team we've seen lots of in the recent past, and we've had some brilliant matches against them, played in a fantastic spirit, and I'm sure tomorrow will be no different," he said.