EU referendum: What the world is saying - Bild to acknowledge England's controversial goal in 1966 World Cup if Britain stays in EU

Similarly The Pioneer - Rudyard Kipling’s old newspaper - wrote in a leader that “If Brexit gets a green signal, India will feel the heat”, noting that India’s annual bilateral trade with Britain was $14 billion last year. “Undoubtedly India will feel the pressure along with the rest of the world,” it concluded.

Meanwhile, the Indian Express remarked upon the negative tone of the referendum debate. In a front-page article on the Wembley Arena debate headlined “Bitterly divided Britain decides on future, undecided 11% hold the key”, it wrote that:

“Both sides indulged in fear-mongering, personal attacks, misleading claims and dodgy statistics. Never before in contemporary history has one seen mainstream British politics so marred by bitterness and antagonism.”

Finally, Prasun Sonwalkar for the  Hindustan Times  also pondered the more existential questions posed by the referendum for Britain, and the West as a whole:

“If Britain is not to be European, what is it? Britain, after all, has historically been central to the idea of the West, which is not only a geographical conception, but is also constituted in the discourses of whiteness, empire, race, occident and the orient. A vote to leave will not only further challenge the strained EU project and the post-1945 liberal world order, but also the idea, idealism and ideology of the West.”

France: "Now let's have our own referendum"

Much of France's coverage of the referendum today is devoted to how the process works and why David Cameron granted voters the opportunity to have their say, writes  James Rothwell. 

As to whether Britain should vote to stay or go, many of the papers seem ambivalent. 

France's conservative newspaper Le Figaro opts for the Shakespearan headline "Brexit, or not to Brexit," while left-wing Libération opts for "Qui est in?"

The question, arguably, is not just directed at the British - as the Telegraph reported on Wednesday, there is mounting pressure on president Francois Hollande to grant the French their own referendum. 

Catholic newspaper La Croix devotes its entire front page to the Brexit story, with the headline "D-day" and a sober image of a man holding a Union Jack umbrella staring out across London. 

Inside, it runs an interview with the University of Strathclyde's professor of political science, John Curtis. 

He predicts voter turnout at around 66% in the interview, and says the referendum would expose "major social differences" among voters. 

"The young want to stay, older voters want to leave, those with qualifications want to stay, and those who are under-qualified want to leave," he says. 

Sweden: "UK being bossed around by Old Etonian clowns leading both campaigns"

Svenska Dagbladet, Sweden's conservative paper of record, splashed on the British EU vote, following it up with a dispatch from Blackpool and Liverpool about a British working class stoked up on racist resentment of foreigners, writes Richard Orange in Malmo.  

"There's an anger in the air, so strong you can almost touch it," the paper claims. Playing up to Sweden's musical pride, it quotes a Blackpool pensioner angry that Britain never wins the Eurovision Song Contest. 

Sydsvenskan, the regional paper for Southern Sweden, also ran the story on its front page on Thursday, with a feature lampooning the Etonian backgrounds of the leaders of both the in and out side under the headline "Send in the clowns. 

"Is it not a little painful that the future of Great Britain and perhaps even Europe, should be decided between two 'tailcoats'," journalist Per Svensson wrote, after describing the Bullingdon Club photograph featuring Cameron and Johnson together.  

He sketches Mr Johnson's cartoonish qualities. 

"It is easy to laugh both with and at a figure such as Boris Johnson," he writes. "But an EU in freefall and disintegration is no joke. A Britain that turns its back on the rest of Europe is no joke. A political environment in which the surest way to win voters is to appeal to their lowest emotions (fear, chauvinism, selfishness) is not a joke." 

The paper comforts itself with an article arguing that southern Sweden will be less economically affected by Britain leaving the European Union than Stockholm.

Other papers ran the preview from the TT newswire, which reports that a vote to leave would have "major implications" worldwide.

Many Swedish commentators have in recent days expressed their disgust at the racist populism and attempts to mislead voters which have characterised the campaign. 

"The British vote on the EU could be a satire written to attack the idea of a referendum, were it not so depressing," wrote Aftonbladet's leader writer Anders Lindberg. 

The Netherlands: "It's B-day for Britain"

The Brexit vote has been making front pages in the Netherlands for weeks, Senay Boztas in Amsterdam writes. 

Late last night, public broadcaster NOS called it "D-Day", saying it was being framed as a choice between "stronger together or the tyranny of the elite."

The left-wing Volkskrant is running a live blog on the Brexit, saying it is neck and neck.

It reports that the Dutch parliament is afraid of a "contagious Brexit virus", fearing it would lead to calls for a referendum in the Netherlands on a Nexit - something that right-wing parties have been demanding.

Its opinion column says "nothing good comes of nationalism".

NRC, the right-wing quality paper, is running a live blog called "stay or leave." In a financial opinion piece, it blames the baby boomers, saying that all across Europe this older generation is more sceptical than the young.

AD, a popular paper that ran a front page last week pleading "Don't leave me this way." 

 It says "Europe is holding its breath.

The Dutch financial paper, the Financieele Dagblad says: "The Netherlands votes with Britain more often than with Germany in the EU" and claims a Brexit would negatively affect the balance in the EU Parliament.

It quotes  Rem Korteweg of the pro-European British think-tank CER saying that "a number of policy areas would become more difficult".

The most popular Dutch paper, De Telegraaf, calls it "B-day for Britain."

Italy: "This is Europe's longest day"

The referendum in Britain dominates the front pages of every major Italian newspaper this morning writes Nick Squires in Rome. 

"Europe's longest day" is the headline in the Left-leaning La Repubblica daily.

"Today Great Britain will decide whether to leave the EU. The world and the financial markets hold their breath," the paper says. "It's the moment of truth. Great Britain decides its destiny - inside or outside the European Union? More than 46 million citizens head to the polls."

La Repubblica has dispatches from the borough of Camden in London, which it says is largely pro-EU, and from Havering in north-east London, which is staunchly in favour of Brexit.

The daily has an interview with Zanny Minton Beddoes, the editor of The Economist. She is quoted as saying the Brexit lobby's arguments that Britain will be better off are "a mirage".

"The pro-Brexit lobby has sold people an illusory world, where regulations would be much less, there would be a vibrant economy, greater sovereignty and greater control of our borders. But this is all a mirage," she says.

The front page of La Stampa says "the future of Europe has been entrusted to the British vote." 

It quotes Matteo Renzi, the prime minister, as saying that Brexit would hurt the UK more than it would hurt the EU.

La Stampa has an interview with Ed Milliband, the former Labour leader, in which he says that leaving the EU would be "a disaster".

"This is a historic moment. There is no turning back. It is the challenge of an entire generation," Mr Milliband tells the paper.

There would be "enormous damage" to the UK if it left the EU. "But I honestly believe that the entire European structure would also be in great danger and could implode," the former Labour leader said.

Corriere della Sera devotes its first six pages to the referendum and has a dispatch from staunchly pro-Brexit Clacton-on-Sea in Essex, with the headline "Beer, bingo and sandy beaches - the white town that doesn't like Europe." 

Clacton is "white, poor and conservative, in love with tradition and suspicious of immigrants," the daily says.

In another dispatch from Eurosceptic Newham, the London borough, a local man is quoted as saying: "I'm not racist but we cannot take any more immigrants. The schools are full, they have classes of 40 kids."

The political survival of David Cameron is also at stake, the paper says, explaining how he has staked his future on the referendum.

China: "Please don't become an Atlantic orphan"

A vote to leave the European Union would result in Britain losing its influence, an influential tabloid with strong links to China’s ruling Communist Party has said, writes the Telegraph's Neil Connor in Beijing. 

The Global Times also said Britain was playing a “risky game” with the referendum, saying it had been “led astray” with both the Brexit and the Scotland Independence vote, making it “the largest source of uncertainties in Europe”.

“Staying in the EU has clear and critical interests for the UK, such as market guarantees and stable employment.

Leaving will politically cost the UK chances to exert its influence,” said the newspaper, which is published by the People’s Daily, the mouthpiece of the Communist Party.

“If the UK votes to leave, it will become an Atlantic orphan and lose its special relationship with the EU.”

The Chinese government has not stated a position on Brexit as it rarely comments on internal matters of other countries. But diplomats say Beijing strongly favours Britain remaining in the EU.

Newspapers around the world compared with what ours are saying at home.

Thursday's international front pages

Bild

Germany’s top selling tabloid, Bild made a number of promises in the hope of persuading UK voters to remain in the EU. After 50 years it would finally admit that Geoff Hurst’s shot in the 1966 World Cup final did cross the line. Other pledges included offering  put its clocks back an hour, stop making jokes about the Prince of Wales ears, stop using suntan cream out of solidarity with sunburnt Brits and even use its towels to reserve the best spots by the hotel for British tourists.

The Australian

With the world’s largest expat­riate British population living in Australia and an ever-tightening Brexit contest, postal votes from Down Under could help rewrite the history of Europe, The Australian reports. The British high commission estimates 1.2 million Brits live in Australia. That number dwarfs those living in popular British retirement spot Spain, it says.

In a sign of the country's priorities, though, the Sydney Morning Herald featured the referendum with the main picture on its front page ... before replacing it for second edition with the decisive match in the State of Origin rugby league series.

The International New York Times

In the US, the New York Times reports that should Britain decide to leave the EU,  the only thing that everyone is sure to agree on is that the nation will a protracted political and legal mess. For all the drama the moment would bring, there would be no instant change, it says. 

El Pais

In Spain, El Pais has splashed the poll on their front page, saying today is the day Britain's decides its future - and Europe's. In its editorial, it appealed to British voters to stay in Europe. "Many Europeans would also like to vote today. But in appreciation of British democracy and to ward off the risk that a British breakaway would incite xenophobia and authoritarianism and to reinforce the links which bind us rather than destroy them, Britons vote to remain among us. Please."

Corriere della Sera

In Italy, the Corriere della Sera also splashed with the referendum, saying that  if London leaves, Europe warns there won't be further negotiation. It also reports Juncker threat that 'out is out' and that Cameron is playing with the future.  

The communist paper Il Manifesto carries the Shakespearean headline "To be or not to be", while left wing publication L'Unita declares: "Keep Calm and Remain".

Le Figaro

France's Le Figaro has also echoed Shakespeare with the splash headline "Brexit or not Brexit". The French newspaper says there would be no going back for the UK if it splits with Europe. 

Le Monde

The French newspaper reports that the Kingdom is split especially when it comes to immigration. It calls it the "Disunited Kingdom" and says: "While English nationalism is alive and kicking, the majority of Scots, Welsh and Irish appear to be pro-Stay."

South China Morning Post

The EU referendum makes it onto the front pages in Britain's former colony, Hong Kong. The South China Morning Post has a run a preview of the poll, reporting the last ditch pleas from both camps.

On the Chinese mainland, an influential tabloid with strong links to China’s ruling Communist Party said a vote to leave the European Union would result in Britain losing its influence. The Global Times also said Britain was playing a “risky game” with the referendum, saying it had been “led astray” with both the Brexit and the Scotland Independence vote, making it “the largest source of uncertainties in Europe”.

“Staying in the EU has clear and critical interests for the UK, such as market guarantees and stable employment. Leaving will politically cost the UK chances to exert its influence,” said the newspaper, which is published by the People’s Daily, the mouthpeice of the Communist Party. “If the UK votes to leave, it will become an Atlantic orphan and lose its special relationship with the EU.” The Chinese government has not stated a position on Brexit as it rarely comments on internal matters of other countries. But diplomats say Beijing strongly favours Britain remaining in the EU.

The Jerusalem Post

The Israeli publication reports a comment by a veteran diplomat saying that while the vote will have huge ramifications for Britain, Europe and the world's economy it will "have little impact on Israel.

The Daily Star

Lebanon's English-language newspaper also features the referendum on its front and reports how the vote "will shape" Europe's future.

Thursday's front pages in Britain

The Telegraph

The Times

The Daily Mirror

The Sun

The Guardian

The Daily Mail

The Daily Express

The Financial Times

The Independent (digital edition)

View from overseas

Bild

Germany's Bild, which wants the UK to stay in the EU, is betting £10k on Remain to win the referendum. It says it will spend the winnings on free drinks in London. 

Irish Independent

The Irish Independent is urging Britain to vote to stay in the EU. 

El Pais

The Spanish newspaper features the referendum on the front page again, reporting David Cameron's plea for Britain to stay in the EU as the campaign enters the final stretch. 

In the English edition, the editorial likens the rise of its Podemos party to the forces in Britain pushing the country to leave the EU and to Donald Trump in the US.

"Here in Spain, millions of us are backing dangerous people, unaware of what Podemos is really up to," it says. 

Italy

The referendum features heavily on the front page of Corriere della Sera, with ECB president Mario Draghi saying they are ready for any emergency following Thursday's vote. 

Sweden

Swedish news outlet The Local reports that eight out of ten Swedish business leaders believe that Britain leaving the EU would have negative consequences for industry in Sweden, according to a new survey.

The Ipsos poll carried out by newspaper Dagens Industri between May 24th and June 16th involved 1,546 business bosses, and recorded the opinions of chairmen, CEOs, finance and marketing managers from companies with a yearly turnover of ten million kronor ($1.21 million) and upwards.

And Dagens Industri, a financial daily, warns on its front page of a "messy summer" should Britain leave the EU, with the stock markets, currencies and interest rates being affected.

Hong Kong

The South China Morning Post asks how China will be affected if Britain leaves the EU. Analysts told the newspaper that a Brexit may add barriers to Chinese access to the European continent and add uncertainty to trade and investment talks with the bloc. They also said it might push Central and East European countries to seek closer economic ties with China, the paper reported.

Wednesday's front pages in Britain

The Daily Telegraph

 The Times

 The Daily Mirror

 The Sun

 The Guardian

 The Daily Mail

 The Express

The Independent (digital)

 The Financial Times

Foreign reporting team: Barney Henderson, Chiara Palazzo, Chris Graham, Nick Squires, Neil Connor, Senay Boztas, James Rothwell, Richard Orange, Andrew Marszal.