FIFA World Cup 2022: England Team Preview, Past Record, Full Squad And When & Where To Watch Three Lions Matches
England will bank on Harry Kane, who finished as a top scorer, (6 goals), in World Cup 2018 and was adjudged Golden Boot back then
With a semifinal finish in the previous edition of the FIFA World Cup in Russia, and the final outing in Euro 2020, England would aim to replicate in Qatar what their cricket team just did in the recently concluded ICC T20 World Cup. However, manager Gareth Southgate's men will enter the tournament with poor form as they have been winless in the last six matches with three draws and three losses in the UEFA Nations League 2022.
England will bank on Harry Kane, who finished as the top scorer (6 goals) in the World Cup 2018, bagging the Golden Boot. However, loss of form or injury to Kane would be a big blow to the Three Lions, given that he is Southgate's best Centre-forward option. And while this talisman will be the biggest strength to the team, centre-back Harry Maguire will be under the radar after his poor show at Old Trafford for Manchester United. Southgate has included him in the 26-man squad considering his past record for the national side.
England's Past Record
Although FIFA wanted them to take part in the first three editions of the World Cup in 1930, 1934 and 1938, England didn't participate as the British Football Association (FA) declined the invitation from the world football body. The 1950 World Cup, hosted by Brazil, was the first edition that England became a part of. Since it had started playing the quadrennial tournament, The Three Lions have lost in the quarterfinals for a record six times. England lifted the coveted trophy once in 1966, while in 2018 they finished fourth after being bundled out by Croatia in the semis and Belgium in the third-place match.
England took part in six straight World Cup editions from 1950 to 1970. But they failed to even qualify in 1974 and 1978. They failed to make it to the 1994 World Cup also. Since 1998, however, The Three Lions have played six tournaments and the team's flight to Qatar this time will be for the seventh World Cup event in a row.
With Southgate's last-minute recalls to the national side, in-form trio Ben White, Jame Maddison and Callum Wilson were able to catch the Doha flight. However, these recalls would mean some crucial players were omitted. England and AS Roma striker Tammy Abraham and young sensation Jadon Sancho are not in the team.
England Squad For Qatar World Cup 2022
On November 10 (Thursday), England Manager Southgate announced the 26-member squad for the World Cup, which is set to commence on November 20 in Qatar. The Three Lions flew to Qatar with stalwart goalkeepers and some strong forwards, midfielders and defenders. "We wanted to make sure we had the balance of the squad right," Southgate said at the press conference where he announced the 26-member squad.
"I think in this day and age, the squad is more important than ever. With five substitutes, you can have half of your team change during a game, so you want different options for different moments of matches and for different stages of the tournament as well," he added.
Here is the full squad:
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope and Aaron Ramsdale
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Conor Coady, Eric Dier, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, John Stones, Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker and Ben White
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Conor Gallagher, Jordan Henderson, Mason Mount, Kalvin Phillips and Declan Rice
Forwards: Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Harry Kane, James Maddison, Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, Raheem Sterling and Callum Wilson.
England World Cup Records And Stats
- Previous World Cup Appearances: 1950, 1954, 1958, 1962, 1966, 1970, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022.
- Current Ranking: 5
- Player to watch: Harry Kane
- Best finish: Champions (1966)
England World Cup Schedule India Time
England vs Iran: November 21, 6.30 PM
England vs USA: November 26, 12.30 AM
England vs Wales: November 30, 12.30 AM.
Where To Watch England Matches
The live broadcast rights of the FIFA World Cup 2022 in India are with Viacom18 (that's Sports18 and Sports18 HD for TV viewers), while the live streaming of the tournament will be available for free on JioCinema.
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