A look at the country’s demographics, football history and its squad status prior to the Qatar World Cup 2022.
Number of inhabitants: approx. 56 million.
Continent: Europe
Confederation: UEFA
National Football Association: The FA
Number of members: around 2,000,000. (3.5% of total population)
International trophies won: 1x World Cup
Best World Cup result: Champions in 1966
Key Players
In the past: Shilton, Rooney, Beckham, Gerrard, Lineker, Shearer.
Key current players: Kane, Foden, Sterling, Bellingham, Rice.
Coach, formation and possible lineup
Coach: Gareth Southgate. (since 2016)
Typical formation: 4-2-3-1 or 3-4-3
Possible lineup:
- GK: Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal)
- CB: Eric Dier (Tottenham)
- CB: Harry Maguire (Man Utd)
- CB: John Stones (Man City)
- CM: Declan Rice (West Ham)
- CM: Jude Bellingham (Dortmund)
- LM: Luke Shaw (Man Utd)
- RM: Reece James (Chelsea)
- ACM: Raheem Sterling (Chelsea)
- ACM: Phil Foden (Man City)
- ST: Harry Kane (Tottenham)
Age Report
Players aged 25 or under in the current lineup: 5
Players aged 32 or over in the current lineup: 0
No players in this lineup will (most likely) be playing their last World Cup this year.
There are 5 players in this lineup that can play (at least) two more: Ramsdale, Rice, Bellingham, James and Foden.
The remaining 6 players could play in one or two more World Cups.
Youngest player: Jude Bellingham, born 29 June 2003 (19)
Oldest player: Harry Kane, born 28 July 1993 (29)
Average squad age: 25.2
World Cup Qatar – Group B
Fixtures:
Monday 21 November England vs Iran
Friday 25 November England vs USA
Tuesday 29 November Wales vs England
Our view:
England is a bit of a paradox. Looking at the players’ transfer values, England should be the absolute favorite to win the World Cup. As it stands they might go all the way and win it, or they might exit in the group stage. Facing their Welsh neighbors who will show up knives between their teeth, and a USA squad that could very well be the surprise of the tournament, England will surely have to give it their all. And let’s not forget about the underdog in group B – Iran. England has everything to lose, and Iran nothing, when they face each other on their first match-day. My prediction? A narrow win for England, followed by a draw, leading to a final match decider between Wales and England for… Second place, behind the USA.
