Why do England have Three Lions on their badge and has it always been the same?

England’s players will, of course, be proudly wearing the badge on their shirts when playing at the World Cup this summer.

Their kit for the tournament has now been confirmed, with the iconic crest sitting right at the centre of the away strip.

England Football

The Three Lions have always appeared on the shirt and the players would become icons by lifting the World Cup for the first time since 1966 while wearing the symbol in North America.

Why do England have Three Lions on their badge? 

England have Three Lions on their badge as it is the logo of the FA. 

However, the story runs deeper than that, with the history of the symbol dating back to the 12th century.

The Three Lions were created by three historical figures in England’s past. 

Henry I had a lion on his standard in 1100 before he combined this with his wife’s father’s shield, which also included a lion. 

In 1154, a third lion would be added to the standard as Henry II married a woman who also had a lion on her family crest. 

Ever since, the Three Lions have appeared on the Royal Arms of every monarch and troops would take those three gold lions into battle to inspire them. 

The Football Association would go on to use this symbol in an official capacity and include it on the badge of the England football team. 

Has the badge always been the same? 

The Three Lions crest has been a part of England’s shirts since their first-ever international match in 1872, when they faced Scotland. 

Since then, it has become an iconic feature of the English football team.

England Football

England Football

England’s World Cup shirts

This summer will be the fourth time England have worn Nike kits at a World Cup, having first done so in 2014.

For the home shirt, which is a modern version of the classic white top, the Three Lions design is embedded into the fabric of the jersey.

And in a nod to the national anthem, the words ‘Happy and Glorious’ are printed on the inside of the collar.

A gold star will be above the iconic badge for England’s home kit for the first time in 13 years.

The star, which signified the nation’s lone World Cup win in 1966, had been white or silver on previous Nike kits.

In a new-look away kit, they will wear red, and unlike with the home strip, a centralised crest is on show for the first time since 2008.