Gareth Southgate will lead England to his third major international tournament, in less than a month's time, as the 2022 Qatar World Cup gears up to its to launch.
The likes of Harry Kane, Mason Mount and Raheem Sterling will hope to lead their country all the way to the final on December 18 but how they could potentially make it there depends on their efforts in Group A.
Here's a look at England's potential path to World Cup glory.
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Group A matches
The Three Lions kick-off their World Cup adventure on 21 November in a clash with Iran. Four days later, they will take on the United States before concluding their games on 29 November in an all-British affair with Wales. Many expect England to have enough to get through this group but how they finish could have a big impact on the direction that they take for the rest of the tournament.
If England win the group
If England win Group A, they will be pitted against the team who finishes as the runner-up in Group B: Qatar, Ecuador, Senegol or the Netherlands. On paper, such a situation would appeal to Southgate and the Three Lions, who would expect the Dutch, managed by veteran Louis van Gaal, to progress as the victors of that group. That game would take place on December 4.
Such a route could open the door to a December 10 clash with the reigning world champions, France, while Argentina, Mexico and Poland also fall on that side of the draw. Many experts are predicting big things from the Argentinians and their ageing talisman, Lionel Messi.
Getting past the quarter-finals in this particular route sets up a potential clash against Belgium or Portugal on December 14. Cristiano Ronaldo has riled England supporters in the past and he will be hoping to lead Portugal's road to international success in what could be his final major international tournament.
If Southgate's men manage to make it this far after winning their group, they could be pitted against Spain, Germany or Brazil in their quest for a their first significant international trophy since 1966. All of those prospective opponents have won the World Cup inside the 21st century.
If England finish second
In the 2018 Russia World Cup, Southgate appeared to favour finishing as the group runner-up as it opened the pathway to a more favourable set of fixtures. Such a diversion saw England make it to within touching distance of the final, only to lose late on against Croatia in the semis.
Finishing second in Group B would see England face the winners of Group A, potentially creating a last-16 clash against the Netherlands on December 3. Beating Van Gaal's men in the last-16 could see Southgate pitted against Argentina or Denmark, who England beat in the semi-final of Euro 2020 at Wembley on December 9.
Following on from that, a December 13 semi-final tussle with Spain, Germany or Brazil could be on the cards. Like their Argentinian counterparts, the Brazilians are expected to perform strongly in Qatar after being knocked out in the quarter-finals to Belgium in Russia four years ago.
France, Belgium and Portugal would appear to be England's most likely opponents if they were to take this route to the final at the Lusail Iconic Stadium on December 18.
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