How Sheffield Wednesday owner David Storch really feels about the 2026 World Cup | OneFootball

The Owls owner has an eye on more than one team in this year's major tournament

Sheffield Wednesday's first campaign back in League One for three years is just over a month from getting underway, with all associated with the Hillsborough outfit hoping it is a positive one following David Storch's recent takeover.

Indeed, the American, his son, Michael and fellow businessman, Tom Costin, acquired the club on May 1st through their consortium, Arise Capital Partners LLC - bringing an end to months of uncertainty on the takeover front.

This time 12 months ago, the atmosphere in S6 was one of extreme fear that Wednesday would not be a club for much longer, with Dejphon Chansiri unwilling to invest in multiple facets of the club and address financial shortcomings which led to a mass walkout of senior players and management, as well as boycotts from supporters.

Wednesday were then placed into administration and saw themselves relegated in February, largely down to an 18-point deduction, but they were eventually able to reach the positive points mark on the final day against West Bromwich Albion, before which Storch and his fellow board members were given a heroes' welcome in the Steel City.

Plenty of key decisions have already, and will continue to be made by the Owls in the coming weeks to aid Henrik Pedersen's rebuilding job, but for now, Storch, Wednesdayites, and millions of football supporters throughout the world are enjoying what the first 48-team FIFA World Cup has to offer.

That is despite the fact the tournament, which has been co-hosted by Storch's native United States, as well as Canada and Mexico, has thrown up plenty of controversial on and off-pitch storylines thus far, and the 73-year-old has made his feelings about it pretty clear on social media.

How David Storch really feels about the 2026 FIFA World Cup after Sheffield Wednesday takeover

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Indeed, the tournament has already lasted just short of a month, with the opening game coming way back on June 12th when co-hosts, Mexico, defeated South Africa at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City.

Without doubt, the biggest surprise has been thrown up by Cape Verde, who, in their first-ever World Cup, drew against all of Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia to make the knockout stages.

Meanwhile, the likes of the Netherlands and Germany have already exited the tournament in penalty shootout losses to Morocco and Paraguay respectively, while England's next match sees them face Mexico at the Azteca in a mouth-watering fixture at 1AM on Monday morning.

Storch clearly has one eye on England's performances under Thomas Tuchel, given his affiliation with Wednesday, but will also be delighted that the USMNT have made it to the round of 16 under Mauricio Pochettino, having topped Group D before seeing off Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 on Thursday to set up a clash with Belgium in Seattle.

However, one of the stories of the tournament has been the England players singing Oasis' Wonderwall with the fans who have travelled across the Atlantic.

Quoting a video of the sing-along after the 2-1 win against DR Congo thanks to Harry Kane's late brace, Storch said: Greatest World Cup ever! Go England!! And go USA!!"

Sheffield Wednesday fans respond to David Storch's World Cup verdict

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It is a strong claim from Storch that the current tournament is the best of all-time, even though we haven't even reached the quarter-final stage or beyond.

Naturally, Wednesday supporters have been reacting to his verdict, including iconic 'super fan' of the Owls and Three Lions, Paul Gregory, also known as 'Tango', who said: This is what your in to now pal let the good times roll x"

In response to that particular comment, another said: If @storchyowl is impressed with this @Tango1867, imagine him at Wembley with us lot! #wawaw"

One Owls fan was clearly impressed by the performance of DR Congo shot-stopper, Lionel Mpasi, as he replied: Dave, drop a word to Costin about the DR Congo keeper over at Le Havre."

Another was quick to reveal his favourite World Cup to Storch, even though it ended in semi-final heartbreak for England, stating: Nope. Italia 90 is the greatest World cup ever. Hydration breaks put this one near the bottom I’m afraid."

Yet, for as entertaining as the World Cup has been this year on the pitch, another supporter in S6 hopes that Storch isn't taking note of some of the pre-match decisions made by FIFA, saying: As much as I am LOVING the early days of your stewardship and I'm really grateful, please feel free to NEVER EVER even suggest countdowns to kick off."