The City of London is bracing itself for a potential riot of joy as the Met Police spring into action to plan a victory parade for the Lionesses should they lift the World Cup trophy. It's a masterstroke from the force, anticipating the nation's euphoria and getting ahead of the curve to ensure a safe and spectacular celebration.
Standard procedure for top brass at law enforcement agencies is to get a head start on planning when a national team is gunning for glory in a major tournament – and England's Women are undoubtedly one of the favourites. They'll be poring over maps, honing crowd control tactics, beefing up security, and coordinating logistics to make sure any future bash can be managed with military precision.
The fact that England's Lionesses enter the Women's World Cup in July as one of the most fancied teams on the planet has certainly given the Met Police a heads-up – their 2022 Euro win having sent shockwaves across the country and setting a new benchmark for women's football in the UK.
While planning is very much underway, it's worth remembering that this is purely conditional on the team's performance in the tournament. The focus remains squarely on the pitch, with any parade plans mere background noise – albeit an exciting one!
The sheer scale of a potential celebration would be a testament to the growing might and popularity of women's football in Britain – a movement that has truly taken flight since the Lionesses' historic Euro 2022 triumph. A World Cup win for Phil Neville's team would not only be a monumental sporting achievement, but also a seismic cultural moment, further entrenching the beautiful game in the nation's psyche.