Sean Carrington, from Wigan in Greater Manchester, has returned to the tattoo parlour where he spent £550 on a huge design declaring England as World Cup 2026 winners, adding the phrase “just joking!”. The 36-year-old roofer said he did not regret the original tattoo and had it altered almost a month after England were knocked out at the semi-final stage by Argentina.
Carrington had asked for the foot-long trophy homage, captioned “England World Cup Winner 2026”, after England’s round of 32 victory over DR Congo, because he was so sure the Three Lions would win the tournament. He said:
"I'm more bothered that England hasn't won the World Cup than I am to have a tattoo on my leg"and added:
"It's not bothering me. It's just a tattoo."
He said he did not regret getting the original tattoo and that he
"wouldn't have done anything differently". The extra line was added at the same parlour, Holy Trinity Tattoo Studio in Standish, and Carrington said he was happy with the result. He described it as
"sound"and added:
"I didn't really feel it."
Carrington also said he did not plan his tattoos, explaining:
"It's just if it pops in my head".
He did not rule out getting another football-related tribute in the future, saying:
"I don't plan any tattoo, it's just if it pops in my head". The studio added the words for free, and manager Jamie Taylor said the correction would normally have cost about £100.
How did the tattoo correction come about?
The studio added the phrase after Carrington returned to the chair following England’s exit from the tournament. The change was made at Holy Trinity Tattoo Studio in Standish, where he had the original tattoo done, and the parlour decided to do the work without charge.
Will he get more football tattoos?
Carrington has not ruled out another football-themed tattoo in future. He said he does not plan tattoos in advance and instead acts on ideas as they come to him.
Key Facts
- Sean Carrington is from Wigan in Greater Manchester.
- He spent £550 on a tattoo declaring England World Cup 2026 winners.
- England were knocked out at the semi-final stage by Argentina almost a month before the correction.
- The added words “just joking!” were included for free at Holy Trinity Tattoo Studio in Standish.
- Jamie Taylor said the correction would normally have cost about £100.
