England’s national football team released its official World Cup portrait series, captured by photographer Carmen Mandato in Palm Beach, Florida, where the squad is training. The images, intended to project a unified front, instead went viral for all the wrong reasons, as players displayed a range of eccentric expressions, with Barcelona forward Anthony Gordon’s striking resemblance to Princess Diana leading the online chatter, according to the source report.

Anthony Gordon's £69 million Diana moment

The most talked-about portrait features Gordon, who recently transferred from Newcastle United to Barcelona for a £69 million fee. Social media users were quick to note his likeness to the late Princess Diana, with one fan tweeting that Gordon “has never looked more Princess Di” and others dubbing him “Anthony Gordiana” or “Prince Anthony,” the source reports. This is not the first time the comparison has surfaced; last October, fans highlighted his hairstyle and headband as reminiscent of Diana’s iconic look. The viral moment underscores how even a £69 million star cannot escape the internet’s eye for celebrity look-alikes.

Dean Henderson's thousand-yard stare and other candid moments

Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson is noted for an intense , unblinking stare directly into the camera, while Newcastle defender Dan Burn appears to be gazing off into the distance, seemingly lost in thought. Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane, England’s captain, looks visibly bored as he glances toward the lens. Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice, meanwhile, appears to be nursing a neck or shoulder issue, with his hand supporting the area. The source details how each player’s expression provides a humorous contrast to the typical formal, poished official shoot, giving fans a glimpse behind the facade of international football.

Thomas Tuchel's arms-crossed debut in Florida

The session also included manager Thomas Tuchel, who is seen with his arms folded—a pose that matches his often intense sideline demeanor. The photos were taken during the team’s final preparation camp in Florida ahead of their opening World Cup match against Croatia in Kansas City next Wednesday. Tuchel’s first official portrait session with England comes amid high expectations, and the online reaction adds a layer of personality to the squad’s public image as they head into the tournament, as the report says.

Did the photographer intend this, and will it affect the Croatia clash?

Two key questions remain unanswered: whether the photographer deliberately captured these candid,unguarded moments or simply got what she got, and whether the lighthearted viral buzz will distract or relax the squad before their critical match against Croatia. The source does not clarify if the players or team management have responded to the online commentary. According to the report, the portraits showcase a mix of concentration, boredom, distraction, and casual adjustment, but the real test begins in Kansas City. If England falters, these images could be remembered as a pre-tournament sideshow; if they win, the portraits will likely be cherished as charming prelude.