Former Tottenham and England striker Gary Lineker claims that England’s World Cup group is something to “look forward to” following the draw on Friday evening. The Three Lions will be looking to better their achievements last time out in Russia, where they reached the semi-finals.
Gareth Southgate has managed to get his side even closer at each stage since, making the finals of the European Championships last summer but missing out on penalties to Italy. The finals in Qatar represent another opportunity to go one step further.
The group draw will have created some excitement in the build-up to the tournament in the winter too, with England placed in Group B. They will have to face Iran in their first match before coming up against the USA and one of Wales, Scotland or Ukraine from the final UEFA qualifier, which is yet to be decided.
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It puts the side in a potentially favourable position to qualify from the group, but England groups of the past have made the mistake of thinking they can easily bypass the group stage. It remains to be seen exactly how prepared the side will be, with the novelty of a winter World Cup also playing a part.
One former player and pundit has already had his say on the draw and that’s Gary Lineker. The ex-England goal scorer is well versed in the nature of goal scoring on big international stages, winning the golden boot at the 1986 World Cup with six goals.
Taking to Twitter after the draw, he said: “England, USA, Iran and Scotland or Wales. Now that is something to look forward to.” England fans everywhere will be sure to count down the days before they see their nation back on the World Cup stage again, with only seven-months left until it gets underway.
