Matt Smith has spent the past decade proving he has the talent to stand on any Oscar stage, from defining turns in Doctor Who and The Crown to prestige projects on the big screen. Yet, for all his acclaim, an Academy Award still has not come his way, and if his latest comments are anything to go by, he is perfectly fine with that.

Because he just admitted he had happily sacrifice not one but ten Oscars for something he considers even more glorious.

On a recent appearance on The Today Show, Matt Smith talked about his career ambitions and where an Oscar might fit into them. But his comments immediately steered away from Hollywood toward the football pitch.

"I'd rather have England win the World Cup over 10 Oscars, I think. And also look, I’m never going to win an Oscar. That’s a long way off, but England might just win the World Cup, my friend, you never know,” Smith said with a grin on his face.

Host Craig Melvin responded, “I think both could happen in your lifetime,” but Smith’s comment captured something many English fans feel: that a World Cup win would be a once-in-a-generation catharsis, bigger than any individual accolade.

England has not won the men’s World Cup since 1966, when Geoff Hurst’s hat-trick and that legendary Wembley final delivered the country’s only title. Since then, they’ve suffered a long history of heartbreak, with penalty shootout losses, semi-final exits, and near-misses at major tournaments that have turned “this could be our year” into a national ritual of hope and disappointment. Smith pushed the point further, adding a dose of self-awareness and optimism in the same breath.

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And while Smith’s heart is firmly with football, his on-screen world is currently enjoying a very different kind of victory.

House of the Dragon season 3 has opened to a 97% certified fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes, marking a high point for the franchise. The early reviews place it alongside the strongest years of Game of Thrones and ahead of its own previous seasons. It signals a strong rebound after criticism aimed at season 2’s pacing.

Critics have highlighted the season’s faster storytelling and expanded scale. The premiere features the long-anticipated Battle of the Gullet, a large-scale naval conflict combined with dragon warfare. Early reactions emphasize that the show delivers immediate action while maintaining momentum across its extended runtime.

The jump in ratings stands out when compared to earlier seasons. Season 1 debuted around the 90% mark, while season 2 saw a dip into the mid-80s. Season 3’s surge restores the series to peak form, with Emma D'Arcy earning particular praise for the portrayal of Rhaenyra Targaryen and improved visual effects enhancing the dragons’ presence.

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Do you also want England to win the World Cup just like Matt Smith? Let us know in the comments below.