The Three Lions are Ready to Face their Nightmare.
Written by: Minna Ibrahim.
With only a few days before Qatar’s World Cup kick-off, all eyes are on the England national team. After the national team's players excelled with their teams, and after they reached the Euro 2021 final -the European Cup of Nations- and being the runners-up of it, England Fans are waiting to see how far they’ll go in the World Cup. Dreaming of seeing their team lifting its cup after being deprived of it for 56 years.
The England national team is considered among the top teams over the world. According to “FIFA World Ranking”, England currently is ranked as the fifth team. However, despite England being from the top teams, it won the world cup title only on one occasion in 1966. Knowing that they’ve participated in the championship 15 times before.
For years, the three lions' nightmare was the knockout stage, particularly, the quarter final. In 6 quarter finals, they were deprived of seeking the title. In spite of that, they were able to end the championship in the forth place for 2 times 1990 and the last World cup version in Russia in 2018, as their best finish in the 56 years.
The Group Stage:
Indeed, in this world cup version, England is lucky. Starting in the group stage with facing Wales, Iran and the USA, made the task easier for the three lions to overcome this stage easily.
After that, if they end up on the top of the group, they’ll play against the runners-up of group A on Sunday 4th at Al Bayt Stadium.
Group Stage Fixtures:
England vs Iran: Tuesday 22/11-Khalifa International Stadium-4:00(GMT+03:00).
England vs USA: Friday 25/11–Al Bayt Stadium-10:00(GMT+03:00).
Wales vs England: Tuesday 29/11-Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium-10:00(GMT+03:00).
Squad:
After FIFA expanded squads to 26 players for the first time, for Qatar 2022, Gareth Southgate -England’s coach- has now added 3 players to his squad.
Southgate had announced the squad of England on the 10th of November, and it came as follow:
GoalKeepers (GK): Jordan Pickford, Everton goalkeeper, was considered as his first choice in this position, as his penalty shootout heroics boosted his status as Southgate's number one.
Beside Pickford, he chose Nick Pope from Newcastle and Aaron Ramasdale from Arsenal as backups.
Defenders (DEF): It was considered as one of the hardest choices for Southgate due to the number of shining stars in the full-back position. However, some circumstances like injuries facilitate the task for him.
In this position, Southgate ended up choosing Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool, Conor Coady from Everton,Eric Dier from Tottenham, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw from Manchester United, John Stones and Kyle Walker from Manchester City, Kieran Trippier from Newcastle and Ben White from Arsenal.
Midfielders (MID): Starting from the defensive pivot of Declan Rice from West Ham and Kalvin Philips from Manchester City that have given England a platform to build on for Euro 2021, which hopefully will continue this way in the World Cup if Philips return to his fitness.
Beside Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund, Conor Gallagher and Mason Mount from Chelsea, Jordan Handerson from Liverpool, James Maddison from Leicester City and Phil Foden from Man City.
Forward (FWD): Certainly, Southgate’s first choice in the attacking position should be Harry Kane from Tottenham, who became an ever-present for England. Especially because Kane could break England's all-time goal record in Qatar, since he already has been in 2nd place after Wayne Rooney by only 2 goals.
Moreover, Southgate depended on Raheem Sterling from Chelsea, Bukayo Saka from Arsenal and Jack Greallish from Man City that will be competing to have a place in the starting XI.
In addition to them, Newcastle’s forward Callum Wilson and Man united’s forward Marcus Rashford, can also be a solution for Southgate.
Absentees (main ones):
Ben Chilwell (hamstring injury), Reece James (after sustaining a long-term injury according to “The Sun”), Emile Smith Rowe (underwent surgery after being affected by ongoing groin injury), Tammy Abraham and Ivan Toney.
Team Preparations:
England won’t play any friendly match before the World Cup, as England’s coach based his final squad pick on domestic and previous international form.
Points of strength and weakness:
Currently, England has many talented and rising players in each and every position, however, some players aren’t in their best appearance like Maguire and Arnold which may affect the team.
Fortunately, this time the World Cup was at the beginning of the season, so the players never experienced any physical stress preventing them from giving their all. In the end, it remains up to Southgate in his choices, especially in the midfield, and he must review his plans and start imposing control in the match if he wants to win.
Expected Lineup:
Starting XI: Pickford (GK)-Walker, Stones, Maguire, Luke Shaw-Bellingham, Rice, Foden-Rshford, Kane, Saka.
References:
https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/20149534/world-cup-2022-injuries-players-missing-chilwell-pogba-kante-messi-mane/ https://www.football.london/international-football/who-could-england-play-world-25379339
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