Prince William appeared on Jason and Travis Kelce's 'New Heights' podcast on Friday, July 3
Credit: New Heights/YouTube
NEED TO KNOW
- Prince William appeared on Jason and Travis Kelce’s New Heights podcast to discuss soccer, American football and his FA patron role
- William shared his admiration for soccer legend Wayne Rooney and reflected on England’s World Cup hopes for 2026
- The prince humorously corrected Jason Kelce, emphasizing that the sport is called “football” in the U.K.
Prince William is reminding Jason Kelce of what football looks like in the U.K.
William, 44, appeared on the Friday, July 3 episode of Jason and Travis Kelce's hit New Heights podcast to discuss a wide range of topics. Amid the 2026 World Cup, the trio spoke about soccer, and the Prince of Wales' role as the patron of the Football Association (FA), the sport's governing body in England.
"So obviously we were very much knowledgeable in the world of American football," Jason, 38, said. "You know your soccer, you've been around the game for a long time."
The retired Philadelphia Eagles center added that William, 44, has held his role with the FA for 20 years.
Credit: New Heights/YouTube
"What is it about this team that makes you extra confident?" Jason asked William about England's current national team roster, adding, "You know, I think there's a good blend of experience and youth and all that. Where do you sit with the team?"
"So first of all, Jason, I have to correct you," Prince William quipped. "It's football."
"Touche! Touche! Fair, fair," Jason replied with a laugh.
William then recounted becoming president of the FA in 2010. Now serving as patron, he recalled "watching many, many England teams," but one player stood out: Wayne Rooney, a forward who played pro soccer for various British club teams from 2002 until his retirement in 2021.
"Oh my God, Rooney," Jason said. "Come on now. Okay. That was if I would have played soccer I would have wanted to play like Wayne Rooney. I love the aggression. This whole hard hustle all over the field. You know it."
Credit: New Heights/Instagram
William referred to Rooney as "fast" and "aggressive" in his plays on the field.
Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!
"And when I was growing up, watching him play was really exciting," the prince recounted. "I always felt like we had a really good chance."
"But as each World Cup goes on and the results don't quite go your way… A little bit of hope gets chipped away each time," William continued, referring to England's current standing in the 2026 World Cup. "Yeah. And so I'm just, you know, I'm taking it calmly and quietly and like, come on, we're going to do well and see how we go. But I am quietly confident, I think."
New Heights releases new episodes weekly on Wednesdays.
Read the full article here
