Southgate: England can win the World Cup – however we’ve got to be excellent

Gareth Southgate

Gareth Southgate heads into Friday’s World Cup draw believing England can win the event – however admits he should be “near excellent” to win in Qatar.

Confidence, expertise and religion in England grew due to reaching the 2018 World Cup semi-finals and reaching the Euro 2020 last final summer time. Southgate agrees that his staff is “there to be shot” however it’s their proper to evaluate their possibilities.

“We stated to the staff this week, ‘If we are able to get to the semi-finals, we are able to get to the ultimate, and we did. If we are able to get to the ultimate, we are able to win.’ That is clear,” he stated.

“Doing that could be very tough and we’ve got to be as near excellent as potential. That’s our problem, not solely once we get to Qatar, as a result of we’ve got to be in the suitable form, even earlier than that. That’s what we’ve got to work for daily. we’re collectively.

“We all know we have been constantly performing over the course of three or 4 years and we’re one of many groups – I believe there are fairly just a few – that may win this event.”

Harry King
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England enters World Cup preparations with a mix of youthful exuberance

England sits within the first place together with the six top-ranked international locations within the lottery in addition to host nation Qatar. Dangers inherent within the second pot embody the Netherlands, Germany and Croatia, whereas a gathering with Scotland or Wales is just not out of the query, as these two international locations are grouped with Ukraine as a single placeholder within the fourth pot.

When requested how different groups really feel about going through England, Southgate stated: “We positively have respect and I believe we will probably be a staff that different groups will not be seeking to play. However that may be a double-edged sword though some groups will put together otherwise for you.”

“You are there to get shot and so they’ll have a selected manner of taking part in to attempt to cease you, however some are going to be a bit petrified of you and would possibly allow you to play extra of the sport, so from our perspective, what actually issues is how they make us really feel about ourselves.”

Germany is one of the teams that England may face in the World Cup groups stages
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Germany is without doubt one of the groups that England could face within the World Cup teams phases

The event is a primary within the Center East, which impresses the Southgate traveler, and whereas the compact nature of the stadiums makes navigation simple for followers, there are facets that matter to the England coach from a participant preparation standpoint.

‘Be careful’ for us is that you do not go to the lodge the evening earlier than the sport, so how do you turn your pondering from ‘That is simply one other coaching day’ to that feeling once you’re on the highway and pondering ‘Okay, it is sport day tomorrow, we’re in a special lodge’ “As a result of that truly modifications the minds of the gamers.”

“So possibly we’ve got to have a look at these facets of it to verify it is not only a lengthy continuum.”

What’s the date of the lottery?

The draw for the event will happen on Friday, April 1, 2023, on the DECC Venue in Doha, Qatar at roughly 5 PM GMT.

You’ll be able to comply with the drawing immediately skysports.com and the Sky Sports activities Implementation.

Who may England face?

World Cup Seeds (Pot 1 – England Group):

  • Qatar
  • Brazil
  • Belgium
  • France
  • Argentina
  • Spain
  • Portugal

Second pot (assured):

  • Holland
  • Germany
  • Denmark
  • Switzerland
  • Croatia
  • Uruguay
  • Mexico
  • United States of America

Third pot (assured):

  • Iran
  • Japan
  • Morocco, West, sundown
  • Serbia
  • Poland
  • South Korea
  • Senegal
  • Tunisia

Fourth pot (assured):

  • Cameroon
  • Canada
  • Ecuador
  • Kingdom Saudi Arabia
  • Ghana
  • + 3 UEFA, Intercontinental Qualifiers

Play-off matches between UEFA and Intercontinental:

  • Wales – Scotland or Ukraine
  • Australia or UAE – Peru
  • Costa Rica and New Zealand

So who may England face?

Worst case situation: England, Germany, Senegal, Peru
Greatest situation: England, Switzerland, Canada, Saudi Arabia