As Qatar hosted the 2022 World Cup qualifying matches for England, noticeable changes have been observed in the fan cultures by journalists.
The event saw an increase in the number of diverse football fans, with Mohamed Suleiman, a 16-year-old from Bolton, highlighting the significant changes.
He said, "I think English fan culture is changing.
It's becoming more diverse.
More welcoming.
And you can definitely see it in Qatar.
" The young football enthusiast is one of many who think that the fan culture, which has been predominantly white, male, and middle-aged for decades, is changing for the better.
In an interview with The Guardian, Sonia Kataria, the co-founder of Out on the Fields, a global study of homophobia in sports, shared her thoughts on what might have caused the vibrant change.
Sonia believes that the past culture alienated women and people who weren't white or straight.
However, the current move towards inclusivity, with more visible tournament organisers' initiatives such as Rainbow Laces and the Kick it Out scheme, has reinforced positive changes in fan culture.
Dan Jones, a correspondent for the Evening Standard, expressed that demographic shifts in England since the 1990s have played a significant role in the current vibrant football fan culture.
He said, "It's not just ethnic minorities either...Modern-day football supporters are often university-educated and are becoming more politically active as well.
" Dan believes that these more diverse supporters bring new perspectives and are more vocal about broader social issues than previous generations.
Although subtle differences in opinion exist among the sources, they all agree that the football fan culture in England is gradually becoming more welcoming to diversity.
The new changes signal inclusivity and present a brighter future for the fan culture.