Maple Leafs have painful similarities to England's World Cup history

Maple Leafs have painful similarities to England's World Cup history originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

A video gaining steam on social media this week makes a very good point:

The Toronto Maple Leafs are a whole lot like the England men's national football team.

England is in the World Cup semifinals this week, trying to prove that comparison wrong, but as things stand, there's a lot aligned.

It starts with the simple matter of years. England last won the World Cup, their only title in international football's largest competition, in 1966.

The Maple Leafs last won the Stanley Cup in 1967.

MORE:How a 3-team Dylan Larkin, Jason Robertson trade could work

England popularly uses the phrase "It's coming home" to describe their plans to bring the World Cup trophy back to them, but it hasn't happened since. Maple Leafs fans use phrases like "our year" and "plan the parade."

They've each got serious pain -- a Wayne Gretzky high stick that cost the Maple Leafs, the Diego Maradona "hand of God" pictured above that led to a heartbreaking loss to Argentina in 1986.

Toronto also has the most Game 7 losses since 1990, and England has the most shootout losses since 1990.

If these two teams have had the same vibes, England is already pushing past what was a rocky 2025-26 season for the Maple Leafs.

The true test comes Wednesday, when England takes on Lionel Messi's Argentina in a World Cup semifinal.

If the Three Lions get past that and into Sunday's final, they'll have a chance to put this comparison to rest.

7-foot-1 draft pick is impossibly tall

Cale Makar is about to become a lot more expensive

Sidney Crosby trade plans did a 180 for the Penguins

It's time to ask a serious Matthew Knies question

Oilers' Frederik Andersen signing is a massive bargain