It was the same with JackCharlton and the Republic Ireland in the late 80s and early 90s with the Irish making it to the final stages of major tournaments for the first time.
The invitation list might not have changed much from 1944, but it was still impressive: Frank Sinatra, Charlton Heston, Glen Campbell, Clint Eastwood, Jack Benny, Jimmy Durante, George Hamilton and Sammy Davis Jr.