England, favorite in the geopolitical group

Only the fans of the Argentine team can be compared to the masses that the England team moves.

Thomas Osborne
Thomas Osborne
17 November 2022 Thursday 23:35
2 Reads
England, favorite in the geopolitical group

Only the fans of the Argentine team can be compared to the masses that the England team moves. Wherever his public plays, he is accompanied by a large and boisterous parish. Usually to see them lose. This has been the case since 1966 when they won the World Cup at home. Almost always responding below expectations, England arrives in Qatar with an excited and cohesive human group. There is no denying the good work of the coach, Gareth Southgate, in charge of the 'pross' since 2016 and who has been working in the federation since 2013, although lately it has been discussed. Under his leadership, England reached the semifinals of the World Cup in Russia, where they lost to Croatia, and was runner-up in the last Euro Cup, losing at Wembley to Italy.

If Southgate rules on the bench, on the field the undisputed leader is Harry Kane, captain and top scorer in Russia 2018. Of course, both are accompanied by a black legend. The coach missed a key penalty in Euro 1996 in the semifinals when he was a footballer and luck was elusive again last year in the final shootout, now as a coach. Meanwhile, the Tottenham forward is still looking for the first title of his already extensive professional career. His goals do not translate into trophies. England has just been downgraded in the Nations League but is already focused on Qatar with promising youngsters like Mount (Chelsea), Foden (Manchester City) or Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund) and more experienced footballers like Kane himself or Sterling (now in the Chelsea).

The Southgate team is therefore carrying historic pressure but is willing to take advantage of a solid and cooked work from the lower categories. A priori it should not have enormous difficulties to get into the round of 16, but it has fallen into a group of obvious geopolitical relations and with important ties with England, such as the United States and, above all, neighboring Wales led by the ineffable Gareth Bale, of which it can be said that he has been preparing for years almost exclusively to show off with his team.

The Welsh are called to fight for second place with the Americans, who are returning to a World Cup after losing the one in Russia, although Iran should not be ruled out. Motivation, under the orders of the very veteran Carlos Queiroz, will not be lacking. The meeting between Iran and the United States on Qatari soil, scheduled for Tuesday, November 29, will have a special morbidity and enormous connotations on the international political scene.

There is a World Cup precedent between both teams. It was in the World Cup in France'98 and the victory was taken by Iran (1-2). The derby between England and Wales will also be precious, which will be played on the same day and at the same time as the Iran-United States. These are the two games that will close the group. It will be a big ending.