Rebecca Garnett, Technical Development Senior Specialist
4 June 2026
For some, it's a glorious showcase of the Beautiful Game. For others, it's an annoying takeover of the TV schedule.
Yep. The World Cup’s here. Love it or loathe it, it’s hard to ignore.
You’ll have your own views. We all do.
But I’m not here to talk about Thomas Tuchel’s squad or Steve Clarke’s tactics. Instead, let’s look at what the World Cup can teach you about growing your money for your very own goals.
Preparing your tactics
World Cups come around every four years. And when you look back at past tournaments, one thing’s clear: things change fast.
That’s especially true when it comes to the cost of… well, pretty much everything.
Take a World Cup essential for many: a pint of beer. Back in France 1998, the average UK pint was £1.89. By South Africa 2010, it had climbed to £2.95. Fast forward to today, and if you’re watching England or Scotland in the pub, you’re looking at around £5.23 a pint.
That’s inflation in action. And over time, it can quietly eat away at what your money can do for you.
Which is why investing for your long-term future could make a difference.
It gives your money a better shot at growing over time (five years or more) compared to a savings account. So your money can keep up with rising costs and support the life you want down the line. The value of your investments can go up and down, so you could get back less than you put in.
It’s also about giving yourself options. More freedom.
Because here’s the thing – prices don’t just creep up, they can sprint. World Cup tickets are a good example. In France ‘98, a ticket for the final was said to cost between £46 and £393. For this year’s final in New Jersey? You’re looking at £8,000 if not higher.
That’s a huge jump. And a reminder that standing still financially isn’t really an option.
No one can predict the scoreline – same goes for your money
The last six World Cups saw six different winners – Brazil, Italy, Spain, Germany, France, and more recently Argentina. Patterns? Not really. Teams rise, fall, and get replaced by someone else having their moment.
Investing your money works in a similar way.
It’s not about going for “form guide” investments that were doing well at one point in time. Because things change. Quickly. It’d be like France turning up today with the same tactics that won them the World Cup in 1998. Football’s moved on. That approach wouldn’t cut it now.
And just like in football, predictions don’t always land. Plenty of people thought England would win in 2006 – they didn’t. Belgium were tipped for years to go all the way – and still haven’t.
So instead of trying to guess what might win next, at Skipton we help people make plans to grow their money with a long-term tactics board.
We assess your personal needs – and recommend a portfolio that spreads your money across regions, sectors, and asset types. It’s a structure as diverse as a World Cup wallchart.
It gives you the opportunity to benefit from assets and regions that are performing well, without relying too heavily on any one area. Past performance doesn’t mean the same will happen in the future. Markets and economies can change, so your returns may be higher or lower.
You wouldn’t pick a team of 11 strikers
Great football teams have their stars. The players who grab the headlines.
But they don’t win on their own.
They rely just as much on the unsung heroes. The defenders who keep things solid. The midfielders who do the hard work and keep everything ticking.
It’s the same with the portfolio we’d help you build.
We’d set up tactics to match up to your circumstances, like your appetite to risk and reward. It means having assets that take up different positions on the field, with very different roles to play.
- Defensive assets are your back line. They’re there to protect, to bring stability, and to help steady things when markets get a bit choppy. They won’t always grab attention, but they’re crucial.
- Growth assets are your attackers. They’re there to push things forward and grow your portfolio over time. These are the ones you’re hoping will make the difference.
The balance between the two? That’s where your appetite for risk comes in.
It’s a bit like choosing your formation. Do you sit back and stay solid? Or push forward and go on the attack? There’s no right or wrong answer. It’s about you, and what matters to you.
History shows both approaches can win. France lifted the trophy in 1998 with a rock-solid defence, conceding just two goals in the entire tournament. West Germany went the other way back in 1954, scoring 25 goals on their way to victory.
Your portfolio would follow the same idea. We’d set it up in a way that suits your situation, with every part playing its role – together, as a team.
No one wins a trophy by accident – and investing’s no different
Over the next few weeks, the games will come thick and fast. There’ll be twists, turns, shocks, and stand-out moments. Some teams will rise to it. Others won’t.
Exciting? Boring? You decide.
We don’t know who’ll win. But we do know this – teams with a great strategy and no flexibility often get found out. They’re too predictable.
On the flip side, teams with clever tactics but no clear strategy can lack direction. They blow hot and cold – and often head home early.
The teams that go all the way? They get both right
That’s exactly how we help you invest for the long term.
We build your portfolio to grow over time, while keeping it flexible and well diversified – to help manage risk and make the most of opportunities as they come.
- A strong core: like the spine of the 1998 French team.
- Balance across the pitch: like Spain’s slick, controlled style in 2010.
- The flexibility to adapt: ready for whatever this (or any) market throws your way.
Like the best teams, we play it fair – no upfront charges and no pressure to act. A charge only applies if you decide to take up our personal advice.
Your next steps
- Call our friendly team on 0345 600 6898 to discuss your situation to work out if financial advice could be a good step for you.
- If you’d like to chat with one of our financial advisers, you can book a free initial review appointment at a branch or over video.
