As things stand with the bookmakers at the time of writing, England are the second favourites behind Brazil to win the 2022 World Cup.
The Three Lions have been handed a favourable group including Iran, USA, and Wales. However, as the tournament fast approaches, England are struggling and could enter the competition low on confidence.
🗣 "We love the group of players we’re working with, we believe we can go even further and we can certainly get better than we’ve been."🏴 @England manager @GarethSouthgate is aiming to improve on the Three Lions’ two most recent tournaments at this year's #FIFAWorldCup— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) September 21, 2022
🗣 "We love the group of players we’re working with, we believe we can go even further and we can certainly get better than we’ve been."🏴 @England manager @GarethSouthgate is aiming to improve on the Three Lions’ two most recent tournaments at this year's #FIFAWorldCup
The UEFA Nations League is not a major tournament and does not compare to the World Cup or the European Championship. Nonetheless, England will feel they should be playing in the top Nations League but they have been relegated to Nations League B for the next competition in 2024/25.
Rather than the prospect of a group containing France, Italy, and Germany, England could be playing in a group with nations including Georgia, Greece, Kazakhstan, Montenegro, or Turkey.
Ahead of the final game in the Nations League, at home against Germany, England have failed to win a game in the group. They started with a 1-0 away defeat against Hungary and picked up a point in a 1-1 draw in Germany.
Next came two home games England were hoping to use to move up the table but following a 1-1 draw with Italy, England lost 4-0 to Hungary at Molineux. It was a shocking result and more of the same followed as England travelled to play an Italian team low on confidence, only to lose the match 1-0.
Having reached the semi-final of the 2018 World Cup and the final of the 2020 European Championship, big things are expected of England at the 2022 World Cup.
The pressure is building on manager Gareth Southgate to lead England to their first World Cup trophy since 1966 but the outlook is not good as the team prepare to play their first game in Qatar on the 21st of November.
Prior to the final home Nations League fixture against Germany, England have failed to score a goal in 3 successive games. They have found the back of the net only once in their last 5 competitive fixtures, which is not good enough to win the World Cup.
The performances have been hugely disappointing, especially in attack and Southgate has just the one game before he must name his squad for the World Cup.
Having named the squad, there is also the issue of picking a starting XI when the World Cup begins. There are a few players who are sure to start the game against Iran at the Khalifa International Stadium.
Jordan Pickford, Declan Rice, Raheem Sterling, and Harry Kane are highly likely to play. However, the remainder of the team is up for debate and that is not a good sign heading into a major tournament.
Such has been the poor performances from England, there are question marks popping up all over the pitch in terms of selection and the system.
England were hoping to head to Qatar as one of the favourites but based on current form, they are far from the best in Europe, never mind the world.