England fans defy Qatar’s strict rules, pose in bikinis in support of the England national team

Thousands of England fans have flocked to Qatar ahead of today’s World Cup match against France.

At least 15,000 fans are expected at Al Bayt Stadium to cheer on the England national team as the Three Lions take on the World Cup champions.

Many more are believed to be in Qatar without tickets, enjoying the December heat in the Middle Eastern country, reports The Sun.

Photo: Eyevine

English expats in the Gulf region are expected to fly to Qatar in record numbers.

Fewer than 2,500 England fans were present at their opening group-stage match of the World Cup against Iran.

Photo: Eyevine

But as Harry Kane and his teammates progressed through the group stages and beat Senegal 3-0 to qualify for the quarter-finals, World Cup excitement has continued to grow.

England fans were allocated 7,000 official tickets for Saturday’s match, but more than double that number are expected to be in the stadium.

Photo: Eyevine

One of the supporters who flew to Qatar for Saturday’s match, 22-year-old Nicole Haddon from Clapham, in southwest London, told the Daily Mail: “We have to take our hats off to England – they are more than capable of bringing the World Cup home”.

Nicole, who wore a bikini in the strict Muslim country while bathing on a beach in Doha, added: “I’m really looking forward to the battle between Walker and Mbappe”.

Her friend, student Lucy Harrison, also 22, added: “The Three Lions will win in style”.

Photo: Eyevine

“We’re better off going forward and attacking. England doesn’t rely solely on Kane; goals come from everywhere”.

Nick Evers, 47, from Wolverhampton, was a little more cautious.

“It could be a very close game, but I’m sure we’ll win. England have improved with every match and this could be our year”.

Meanwhile, England fan Farzana Qomtaz, 20, from Malaysia, said: “The England team play such exciting football”.

“My family and I watch the Premier League on television and we’re big Liverpool fans”.

“I’m so happy to see Jordan Henderson playing for England. We love Liverpool so much”, she added.

And with World Cup favourites Brazil eliminated on penalties by Croatia yesterday, some think this could be England’s best chance in years.