A press conference held by Pearce and skipper Ryan Giggs on Tuesday at Old Trafford saw just seven reporters in attendance, a far cry from the dozens who normally throng the home of Manchester United for major matches.

When greeted by the low turnout, Pearce joked to journalists: “We could have done this in my bedroom.” Britain’s opening game against Senegal will be viewed by a crowd of around 70,000 on Thursday.