England’s Chances In The World Cup
by Alex Dudley
T
he 2022-23 Premier League season will be unlike anything that we have experienced previously, as the competitive action in the English top-flight will pause mid-way through the campaign for the World Cup in Qatar. The Premier League responded to the first winter World Cup by announcing that league fixtures would be paused, before the action gets back underway on Boxing Day. However, for millions of United fans across England, the month-long break will see the attention switch to supporting Gareth Southgate and his Three Lions side’s attempt to win a second World Cup honour, and first major success since 1966. But, do England have a solid chance at ending their 56-wait for success in Qatar at the end of this year? Draw Has Been Kind To Southgate’s Men One of the biggest doubts that Southgate and his side have needed to answer over the course of the past two competitions is the belief that tournaments have paved an easy route to the latter stages. However, the Three Lions didn’t have things easy at EURO 2020, as they famously beat Germany at Wembley, before fine displays against Ukraine and Denmark to set up the final against Italy. While the night at Wembley ultimately ended in disappointment after a penalty shootout loss against the Italians, few would argue that there hadn’t been progression between the two major tournaments. At the very least, England will be expected to make a bold showing at the World Cup this year, and their chances of
28 VOL 49 - ISSUE 4 - JULY 2022
