"The Dallas Cowboys is America's team. Just like England, everyone knows who England is in the soccer world. But both of those teams just can't get over that hump, even though they got superstars all over the place." Rob Gronkowski said it plainly, and honestly, it's hard to argue.
The former Patriots tight end made the comparison amid World Cup build-up, and the parallel holds up uncomfortably well. England's last major title: the 1966 World Cup. The Cowboys' last Super Bowl: the 1995 season. Two franchises defined by legacy, drowning in talent, and somehow perpetually empty-handed.
The pattern is almost identical
Under Gareth Southgate, England reached the 2018 World Cup semifinals, their first in decades. Then a first major final since 1966 at Euro 2020 — lost on penalties to Italy. The 2022 World Cup ended in the quarterfinals when Harry Kane missed a penalty that would have leveled the game against France. And Euro 2024? England became the first nation to lose back-to-back European Championship finals, falling 2-1 to Spain despite fielding Bellingham, Saka, Foden, Kane, and Rice.
That's the part that makes the Cowboys comparison land so cleanly. It's never a lack of talent. England's squad reads like a Champions League all-star lineup every tournament. The Cowboys had Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Micah Parsons — and still couldn't get past the Divisional Round. Dallas finished 12-5 three times in four years and lost in the Wild Card or Divisional Round each time, including a 48-32 collapse against Green Bay in 2023 as heavy home favorites.
Gronkowski put it simply: "They always have passion for years. They always have enthusiasm that they're going to get over that hump. And then they always come up short."
Thomas Tuchel inherits the curse
England head into the 2026 World Cup on US soil under Thomas Tuchel, a manager who knows how to win tournaments — he lifted the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021. Whether that pedigree translates to international football is a genuine question, not a given.
The Cowboys are also heading into 2026 after a defensive overhaul following a disappointing 2025 campaign. Both franchises are rebuilding with purpose, both carrying the weight of their own mythology.
- England: no World Cup or European Championship since 1966
- Dallas Cowboys: no Super Bowl appearance since the 1995 season
- England lost consecutive Euro finals — a first in the tournament's history
- Dallas qualified for the playoffs 13 times since their last NFC Championship game without once reaching the conference title game
If you're looking at England's World Cup odds, the talent base still justifies serious consideration. But the history says the gap between this squad's ceiling and what they actually deliver at tournament time is where the real betting edge lives. England don't lose because they're weak. They lose because of something harder to price.
Gronkowski's take isn't a hot take. It's just an honest one.
