World Cup: Is it coming home?
Is it coming home for England or will Qatar mean more years of hurt?
They were so close in both World Cup 2018 and the Euro 2020/2021 tournaments.
They lost out to Croatia in the last World Cup, this was followed by a devastating penalty loss to Italy last year in the Euro 2020 final. Their female counterparts brought football home this summer by beating Germany in the final of Euro 2022. A repeat of that success will be crucial for the men's team. There is no doubt that the squad is talented and motivated. They just need to make the final step and get the trophy.
Read a report on how England's female football talent won a major trophy - Women's Euro 2022: England win after dramatic final (eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com)
The final squad has been announced after a lot of debate. Do you agree with the England manager's picks? Video credit - The Telegraph - YouTube
Reaction to the squad announcement
Before we explore England's chances, let's explore the reaction to that squad announcement. Liam from Manchester said: "I'm happy with it, not perfect but good enough to win the tournament."
Mark from London added: "Can't change anything now so it's time to get behind the, Come on England!"
Other people were less happy. One YouTuber wasn't happy at all. One watcher said: "I agree with this 100%. I don't think we will get out of the group."
Another added: "What a joke!"
Video credit - Mark Goldbridge That's Football - YouTube
As the tournament takes place in the middle of the domestic league season, their Premier League-heavy squad will be in peak physical condition and match sharpness rather than entering it at the end of a busy season, as is usual. However, there are negatives. The packed football schedule has meant two games a week for most players. Can they maintain this?
England are in Group B and are joined by the USA, Iran and fellow' home nation', Wales. Each side will present different challenges for England. Iran are a new opponent at this senior level, as the nations have never played each other in a competitive setting before. England faced USA in 2010 and struggled. I'd be amazed if that many people even remember that match.
Wales could be an interesting match. There are arguments that this could have the frantic pace of a Premier League style encounter. It remains to be seen who this will benefit. The two sides did meet at Euro 2016. England would go on to win that match, but the Welsh performed better at that tournament. The BBC argued that that tournament changed the nation forever.
Should they win the group, that would see them meet the runners-up of Group A, either Qatar, Senegal, Netherlands or Ecuador. Potential quarter-finals and semi-finals at the Al Bayt Stadium could then be their route to the final in Lusail on December 18th. Is that possible? Could England get to their first World Cup final since 1966?
Of course, the leading man for the Three Lions is Harry Kane. He was the World Cup golden boot winner in Russia and scored a huge goal to get them to the Euro 2020 final last year against Denmark. England need him to be fit. Who else could get them to achieve their dreams?
We have already explored the impact that a certain Dortmund based midfielder could have on the team. World Cup preview: Could Jude Bellingham shine for England? (eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com)
