England’s focus is now on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar as the Three Lions gaze into glory in Qatar this Winter.
Gareth Southgate’s side sealed their place at the showpiece tournamentTheir biggest win in an international competitive match was when they beat San Marino 10-0.
England have a vast array of talent in almost every position and Southgate will have to narrow that down over the course of the next few weeks.
Southgate is confident his men can win the tournament but has admitted they will have to be ‘close to perfect’ to triumph in the Persian Gulf.
However, England’s preparations have been dented this summer having not won in six and suffering relegation in the Nations League.
In recent months, the Three Lions have been defeated by Hungary twice and Southgate is under more pressure due to their poor run.
A spirited comeback in their 3-3 draw with Germany in late September did offer some hope but England now don’t have another game until their World Cup opener on November 21.
So, how much do we know about England’s preparations, when will they have to finalise their squad and where they will be based? talkSPORT.com has a look…
England at 2022 World Cup: When will the squad members be confirmed?
Two key deadlines must be met by all 32 countries to share official squad lists.
Southgate must first announce his expanded preliminary team by Friday, October 21st. Southgate can name up to 55 players, but the list doesn’t have to be public.
FIFA must then submit the final 26-man teams on Sunday, November 13th.
However, it is understood that Southgate will name his final England squad on Thursday, November 10 – before final round of Premier League fixtures.
Southgate gave a clue to his World Cup plans when he announced his squad for England’s Nations League games against Italy and Germany in late September.
Before the tournament begins, England will not host any warm-up matches.
England squad for Nations League matches in September
Goalkeepers
- Nick Pope (Newcastle), Aaron Ramsdale, Dean Henderson (Nottingham Forest).
Defenders
- Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ben Chilwell and Conor Coady (on Loan at Everton From Wolves), Eric Dier (Tottenham), Marc Guehi(Crystal Palace), Reece James (“Chelsea”), Harry Maguire (“Manchester United”) Luke Shaw (“Manchester United”) John Stones („Manchester City”) Fikayo Tomori [AC Milan], Kieran Trippier “Newcastle”) Kyle Walker („Manchester City”)
Midfielders
- Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Mason Mount, (Chelsea), Kalvin Philips (Manchester City), Declan Rice(West Ham), Kalvin Phillips [Manchester City], Kalvin Phillips (“Manchester City”), James Ward-Prowse (“Southampton”)
Forward
- Tammy Abraham (Roma), Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Tottenham), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Raheem Sterling (Chelsea), Ivan Toney (Brentford)
England at 2022 World Cup: Where are they going to be based?
Southgate’s squad are set to be treated like royalty when they stay in the Souq Al Wakra hotel in Qatar later this year.
According to SportsmailA booking has been made to attend the November tournament.
The Souq Al Wakra hotel, which is free of alcohol, has a private beach and a fitness center. It also boasts a hydro pool and a spa. There are also multiple restaurants.
England will continue their World Cup training at the Saoud bin Abdulrahman Stadium.
England at the 2022 World Cup – What kit will they be wearing?
Nike has been creating the Three Lions kit since 2013, but opinions have diverged since its unveiling.
The home shirt is a combination of England’s traditional white backdrop with a mixture of sky blue and navy across the shoulders and the sleeves. The Nike logo is to the right and the badge has a blue border around it.
The red away shirt is retro-inspired with a navy blue collar that evokes the shirt worn in the 1990 World Cup in Italy. The sleeves have a blue rim.
It remains to be seen if Southgate will don his infamous waistcoat once again…
England at 2022 World Cup: Who will it face?
Group B
England v Iran – 4pm local/1pm UK – Mon 21/11
England vs. USA – 10pm local/7pm UK – Fri 25/11
Wales v England – 10pm local/7pm UK – Tue 29/11
England finishing 1st
Round of 16 – 10pm local/7pm UK – Sun 4/12 (potentially Ecuador or Senegal)
Quarter final – 10pm local/7pm UK – Sat 10/12 (potentially France or Argentina)
Semi-final – 10pm local/7pm UK – Wed 14/12 (potentially Belgium, Germany, Portugal or Spain)
England finishing 2nd
Round of 16 – 6pm local/3pm UK – Sat 3/12 (potentially Netherlands)
Quarter final – 10pm local/7pm UK – Fri 9/12 (potentially Argentina or Denmark)
Semi-final – 10pm local/7pm UK – Tue 13/12 (potentially Spain or Croatia)
Final
Play off for 3rd Place – 6pm local/3pm UK – Sat 17/12
Final – 6pm local/3pm UK – Sun 18/12
England at the 2022 World Cup. How did they get there.
The Three Lions bossed Group I in UEFA’s qualification process for the World Cup.
Southgate’s men were unbeaten in their ten matches, winning eight of them.
They scored 39 goals, which is the most by any team. Harry Kane was the joint top-scorer with 12.
England clinched their place in the World Cup with a win over Albania in the second round of games in mid-November. They also beat San Marino 5-0.
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