'Cruel' fate awaiting England if World Cup bid fails

2 years ago 84

England's fortunes astatine a World Cup ever look much scrutinised than immoderate different state - whether that's due to the fact that of the sport's history, the hubris of fans oregon the basal tendency to revel successful their failures, it's a unit dissimilar immoderate other.

The world is that their caller tourney signifier has been excellent. But 1 of the astir cruel notions of modern athletics is that each squad that fails to triumph the title, successful immoderate competition, is dismissed arsenic chokers, frauds oregon underachievers.

England reaching the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and the last of Euro 2020 and losing some successful heart-breaking manner should beryllium viewed arsenic a positives, but alternatively Qatar looms arsenic a 'last-chance saloon' for manager Gareth Southgate and respective of his elder players.

While they're 4th oregon 5th favourites astatine astir sports books, they aren't being talked astir successful the aforesaid enactment arsenic Brazil, Argentina and France, oregon adjacent a mates of teams astatine longer likelihood than England itself, specified arsenic Portugal and Germany.

World Cup previews: All 32 squads | Group A

Kalvin Phillips, their champion subordinate astatine the Euros, has won his contention against the timepiece to beryllium acceptable for the tournament, portion originative midfielder James Maddison, who has been successful ridiculous signifier for Leicester City, was a pleasant astonishment erstwhile the last squad was announced.

It's not precisely a cakewalk of a group, though. It's the lone 1 wherever each squad is ranked wrong the apical 20 successful the satellite rankings, and each 3 opponents volition nary uncertainty beryllium eyeing disconnected the biggest scalp - peculiarly a buoyant Welsh squad, the champion they've produced successful generations.

Teams (FIFA World Ranking):

England (5)

The Three Lions breezed done qualification, going undefeated with 8 wins and 2 draws successful their European group.

Iran (20)

Few teams had a much comfy clip getting to the World Cup than Iran - some they and South Korea romped done a lopsided Asian qualifying group, with the erstwhile securing qualification with 3 of their 10 games to spare.

USA (16)

Senegal narrowly overcame Egypt connected penalties to unafraid their spot - though it wasn't without controversy, with a postulation of laser pointers successful the assemblage being shone successful visiting players' eyes.

Wales (19)

Wales were 1 of the past teams to qualify, having to spell done the play-offs aft finishing 2nd successful their group. Gareth Bale bagged a brace arsenic they bushed Austria and again scored successful a 1-0 triumph implicit Ukraine to publication his team's archetypal World Cup berth since 1958.

Fixtures (times successful AEDT):

England vs Iran - Tuesday November 22, 12am

USA vs Wales - Tuesday November 22, 6am

Wales vs Iran - Friday November 25, 9pm

England vs USA - Saturday November 26, 6am

Wales vs England - Wednesday November 30, 6am

Iran vs USA - Wednesday November 30, 6am

Prediction:

As dour arsenic England person been astatine times, they had nary issues grinding done qualifiers, nor were they troubled successful the radical signifier astatine the past tournament, and should easy advancement here.

The opening clash betwixt Wales and the USA is massive, and could spell a agelong mode to deciding who advances to the past 16.

1st: England

2nd: USA

3rd: Wales

4th: Iran

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