DOHA – England’s squad touched down in Qatar on Tuesday ahead of their latest attempt to end the nation’s long wait for a major trophy with captain Harry Kane saying they are trending in the right direction.
Four years after reaching the World Cup semi-finals in Russia, England are tipped as one of the favourites for Qatar 2022 despite a poor run of form.
“We’ve been trending well in major tournaments, so there’s only one more step to take and hopefully we can take it this time,” Tottenham Hotspur striker Kane, who led the team to the Euro 2020 final in 2021 before losing to Italy on penalties, told the BBC on arrival in Doha.
“It’s exciting, stranger than usual thinking that we’re going to be playing in about five or six days. Excitement is building among everyone. Happy to be here and looking forward to being out on the training pitch tomorrow.”
Kane, like most of the squad, was in English Premier League action last weekend and there are only five days for Gareth Southgate to prepare his players for the opening game against Iran on Monday.
But Kane says that will not be an issue. “We’re used to preparing for games with England in a short period, with major tournaments it’s a bit different,” he said.
“But the mentality of the squad will adapt to it well and that’s what we’re going to do.
“We’re trying not to think that far ahead but of course (winning the tournament) is the dream and what we’re aiming to do. It’s going to be a tough tournament, we have to prepare for that but really excited to get going.”
Southgate added: “For every player and every manager it’s the pinnacle of world football so we’re really looking forward to testing ourselves on that stage.”
The night before the team departed for Qatar, Prince William paid a surprise visit and presented the players with their shirt numbers for the tournament.
The BBC also reported that he had provided some words of encouragement.
“I’m really here to point out that the rest of the country is behind you,” he said. “We are all rooting for you, enjoy it.”
England will also face the United States and Wales in Group B.
While the Three Lions may not be the biggest favourites in Qatar, Argentina superstar Lionel Messi has picked Southgate’s men as a huge threat to his dream of finally adding a World Cup winners’ medal to his bulging trophy cabinet.
The 35-year-old Paris Saint-Germain forward will again shoulder Argentina’s hopes as they bid to deliver the South American country’s third world title and first since 1986.
“Whenever we talk about candidates, we always talk about the same teams,” Messi told South American Federation Conmebol.
“If I have to put some above others I think Brazil, France and England are a little bit above the rest. But the World Cup is so difficult and so complicated that anything can happen.” REUTERS, AFP
