When the new Wembley stadium was built on the demolished remnants of its predecessor, the England national team was in a sorry state. Steve McClaren was the Three Lions manager, and the stadium was initially associated with England’s failure to qualify for Euro 2008. It certainly didn’t feel like the legendary landmark that Pele had famously dubbed the “cathedral of football.”

Last summer was a turning point for the “new” venue, though, as it hosted England in a major final for the first time since 1966. It is now on its way towards achieving legendary status. However, it may require a World Cup victory for it to snatch top spot from the ground that stood for almost 80 years.

Only a World Cup Win Can Elevate it Above its Predecessor

Even though England fans have now formed a connection with Wembley in its current form, the stadium that took four years to build between 2003 and 2007 will find it desperately hard to live up to its predecessor. That’s because the former ground that stood from 1923 until 2000 hosted the greatest match in English sporting history.  

The 1966 World Cup final in which England toppled West Germany 4-2 courtesy of a hattrick from Sir Geoff Hurst is one of the greatest World Cup finals of all time. This was the first and only time the Three Lions have managed to lift the Jules Rimet trophy, and it still lives long in the memory of older football fans.

The younger generations don’t remember this win, of course, and that famous victory is beginning to turn into folklore. These fresher-faced fans will fondly remember their players’ recent successes in the stadium, however, and that will help new Wembley form a strong place in their hearts. Still, it feels as though the current ground needs a World Cup win to become as iconic as the one that preceded it.

Wembley Was Incredible During the Euros

Until recently, England fans didn’t have much to shout about. Before every major tournament there was that sense of optimism, and then hopes were swiftly dashed before the competitions had even entered their later stages. During Gareth Southgate’s tenure, on the other hand, there has been a noticeable improvement, and this has translated into success on the pitch.

After making it to the semi-finals of the World Cup in Russia, Southgate led England to the final of Euro 2020. The Three Lions ended up playing all but one of their games at Wembley in that tournament, and it enabled the fans to create the booming atmosphere that gave the players an extra lift in the games. This was the first time the place had felt magical and electric, and its new soundtrack was Neil Diamond’s "Sweet Caroline". The new Wembley had finally become the rightful home of English football, and everyone could sense it.

It was a shame that England couldn’t cap off an exceptional Euros run with a win. Had they managed to do so, the new Wembley may have gained the iconic status of the old one. Still, it has plenty of time to write its own history, and many would agree that it’s one of the most stunning stadiums on the planet.