The hangovers, hoarse voices and, in some cases, heartache are evident on every street corner as World Cup fever continues to grip the nation.
Here’s a question to put your Coventry City knowledge to the test — one that would sit comfortably in any local pub quiz.
The Sky Blues’ representatives in this year’s competition have been 28 year old forward Haji Wright, called up to the United States squad following an impressive, promotion-winning season, and Ghana’s Brandon Thomas-Asante.
Read more: What going to school in Coventry was like in the 1950s
But just how many City players have graced one of sport’s greatest stages over the years?
How many have featured in their nation’s World Cup squad?
The answer is 11 — and there are genuine legends among them.
Midfielder Tommy Hutchison got the ball rolling back in 1974, as part of a Scottish side that departed West Germany with a genuine sense of injustice. Remarkably, they remained unbeaten yet were eliminated at the group stage on goal difference.
With England failing to qualify, Scotland beat Zaire 2-0, famously drew 0-0 with Brazil and 1-1 with Yugoslavia.
Hutchison was a true great who was still playing at 47, by which point he was turning out for Merthyr Tydfil. “I’d be taking corners and they’d be going, ‘where’s your pension book?’,” he told the Daily Mail.
“I’d go, ‘never mind that, what about my Zimmer frame?’ Before you knew it, we’d all be laughing and joking.”
Four years later, goalkeeper Jim Blyth was part of Ally’s Army as Scotland pledged to fare better in Argentina. They didn’t.
Though Jim can hardly be blamed — he was the nation’s second-choice keeper. Scotland could only manage a draw with Iran, suffered a heavy 3-1 defeat to Peru and entered their final match against the Netherlands requiring a three-goal victory.
They fought bravely, but the 3-2 win fell short.
Phil Babb of the Republic of Ireland
Centre-back Phil Babb was part of Jack Charlton’s Republic of Ireland squad for America ’94 – and the boys did their nation proud, even defeating Italy 1-0 in the opening match. They reached the knockout stages where the Netherlands ended their run with a 2-0 result.
Coventry striker Roy Wegerle also had reason to celebrate at the same tournament. His United States side – a team sporting some rather peculiar hairstyles – defeated Colombia and even reached the last 16 where Brazil, the eventual champions, won 1-0.
Wegerle played his role in converting Americans into football fans.
Remember striker Viorel Moldovan?
Viorel Moldovan
He was at France ’98 representing Romania. England supporters will certainly recall Romania – they beat us 2-1.
Moldovan and his teammates reached the last 16 before falling 1-0 to Croatia.
The Republic of Ireland’s solid defensive line at the 2002 World Cup, held in Japan and South Korea, owed much to reliable centre-back Gary Breen. Moreover, Breen found the net in Mick McCarthy’s side’s 3-0 victory over Saudi Arabia.
They also drew with Germany and Cameroon.
A tournament overshadowed by a very public row between McCarthy and Roy Keane ended in the heartbreak of a penalty shoot-out, with Spain ending the dream. The lads still came home to a hero’s welcome.
Magnus Hedman in action for Sweden in 1998
Magnus Hedman had an inconsistent spell as Coventry goalkeeper. He represented Sweden in 2002, when they finished above England in their group: the two nations drew 1-1 when they met.
After retiring from football, Hedman’s life spiralled, his finances squandered on drugs, prostitutes and property.
Hedman told the Swedish press: “I felt bad for many, many years in a way I never thought possible. I thought several times to take my life – and I got really, really close at one point.”
Coventry had double representation in 2006 in Germany – both goalkeeper Clayton Ince and striker Stern John were selected for Trinidad and Tobago. John remains the nation’s record goalscorer, finding the net 70 times in 115 appearances.
Unfortunately, he couldn’t stop Trinidad from finishing bottom of their group: they drew 0-0 with Sweden, and lost 2-0 to both England and Paraguay.
