Another World Cup campaign begins for England tonight (March 25) with a home game against San Marino. Will 2022 be the year when finally, England win the World Cup again. Let’s take a look at their prospects and some betting tips.
When your first qualifier is at home to San Marino, only one statement can be made. Namely, it can only get tougher in the future. Another big win Is likely against the lowest ranked team in the UEFA qualifying groups. Older fans may remember that night in 1993 when England went 1-0 down to San Marino in just over eight seconds.
Bookies are still celebrating the loss of all those correct score predictions that went down inside seconds. No in-play betting to save you in those days either. England manager Graham Taylor didn’t like it as he resigned six days later with England failing to qualify.
The other teams in England’s World Cup 2022 qualifying group are Albania, Hungary, Andorra and Poland. It’s nearly always Poland isn’t it? England are 1/5 to win Group I and should be able to finish top without too much trouble.
As usual, England seem to have been given a relatively easy qualifying group. That’s ideal for building up false confidence that we might break 56 years of hurt in 2022. Then again, more likely we’ll go for the nice rounded-up figure of 60 years.
England did of course reach the 2018 semi-finals thanks to that rather easy draw. They can be backed at odds of 10/1 at William Hill to lift the trophy in 2022. That makes them the fourth favourites behind France, Brazil and Germany. France and Brazil are the current 6/1 joint favourites at BetVictor.
When a World Cup qualifying campaign comes along, its important to look ahead to the actual tournament. With these qualifiers beginning a bit later than usual, we are only 20 months away from the finals.
Only Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier and Jordan Henderson will be in their 30s when the finals begin in November 22. Harry Kane will be 28 and Raheem Sterling will celebrate his 27th birthday during the finals (if we get there of course).
You can bet that Sterling James, Lingard and Phillips never thought their birthdays might come during a World Cup finals. Ben Chilwell has his birthday on December 21, that’s three days after the World Cup final. Will it be a double celebration?
England will have a squad with plenty of experience but several young players too. Seven of the possible squad are likely to have played 40 internationals by November 2022. Plenty of possible goals up front, an exciting looking midfield and a defence still likely to concede silly goals. It’s likely to be Gareth Southgate’s last tournament as England boss. Rest assured, If we don’t qualify, he’ll be long gone before November 2022.
How will England fare in the heat of Qatar? It won’t be as hot as their summer but still not quite the conditions England are used to in November and December. England still lack that winning mentality; another disappointment lies ahead. But don’t worry we have lots of good young players (some even getting regular Premier League football), so bring on 2026.
