From Qatar to Berkhamsted – A World Cup Tale

9 June 2024

During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the England football team found an unexpected mascot: a stray cat they named Dave. Among the team’s players and staff, John Stones and Kyle Walker were especially fond of the feline. The team’s affection for Dave grew so much that they decided to bring him back to the UK as their lucky mascot.

After spending several months in quarantine, Dave finally arrived in the UK in May 2023. Anna Bush, the senior media operations manager for the England Football Association, along with her family, volunteered to adopt Dave. Now, Dave lives happily in Berkhamsted with Anna, her husband Richard, and their two boys, Archie (8) and Bertie (5). The boys adore Dave, and he has seamlessly settled into his new home.

Bertie pictured to the left of Dave and Archie to the right

Archie and Bertie enjoy making videos and predictions with Dave about upcoming football matches, which they share on Instagram under the handle @englanddavecat. Although Dave can’t travel to Germany, he will be cheering for the England team during the Euro 2024 tournament from the comfort of his new home, with the tournament set to start on 14 June.

Dave’s journey from a stray in Qatar to a beloved pet in Berkhamsted is a heartwarming testament to the bond between humans and animals, and he continues to bring joy to his new family and football fans alike.

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