Stories of the World Cup: England's Successful Tournament

The National Student

Sadly, another World Cup has come and gone, and football fans around the UK are left twiddling thumbs until the Premier League starts again on August 10th.

However, for once it is a superbly weird feeling for England fans, a post-World Cup period where the nation is left feeling proud.

The team achieved their best finish since Italia 1990, with a far less experienced squad. In this tournament, England’s average age was twenty-six, averaging twenty caps – the least experienced team in the tournament. 

Going into the tournament, the general attitude was that reaching the Quarter-Finals would be good enough, particularly as Southgate is building a new generation of players.

However, England by far and away exceeded expectations. Putting six past Panama, winning their first penalty shootout, ridding themselves of the club rivalry which hampered the Golden Generation, as Rio Ferdinand said, and Harry Kane winning the Golden Boot.

Despite a somewhat lacklustre play-off performance against Belgium, there is a strong argument to state this has been England’s best World Cup since 1966. 

With youth and depth, and Gareth Southgate and Harry Kane now nominated for their respective ‘The Best’ Awards, the future is looking bright for English football.

So what's next for the Three Lions? Perhaps some of England’s success can be attributed to Southgate’s familiarity with a number of players as a result of his time as England U21s coach.

If so, with his position now cemented as manager, he can continue to build his team and develop his philosophy with the players.

Next for England is the inaugural UEFA Nations League, an attempt to add some flavour to the otherwise dull international breaks.

However, Southgate will likely have his eyes fixed on Euro 2020, with the final held at Wembley (football’s coming home).

Given two more years with his team, it can certainly be imagined that England will be in with a chance of winning their first European Championship title. The young squad will only improve, and if Southgate can maintain a consistency with the players, the squad will grow together.

They’ve set themselves a tough task to replicate in Qatar 2022, but it’s definitely achievable if they play with the same relaxed air and belief that we saw this year. A style of play that truly gathered the nation behind the team.

It’s still baby steps for the squad, and the most important thing that the country can do is not get ahead of themselves. There’s a way to go, but given time and patience, who knows what this team can achieve.

It was a brilliant tournament to watch, and one that was desperately needed for England supporters who have been disappointed again and again. 

But now, there’s a twinkle of hope for the Three Lions, the nation can feel bold again.

Media Credit - Wikipedia Commons. FIFA.