About
Nickname(s): The Three Lions
Confederation: UEFA
Head Coach: Roy Hodgson
Captain: Steven Gerrard
FIFA Ranking: 11
Best World Cup Finish: Winners (1966)
Notable Players: Frank Lampard (Chelsea) Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) Daniel Strurridge (Liverpool)
Odds on lifting the cup: 28/1
The Country
As of 2011 England’s population stood at 53 million. England are a part of the European Union but not the Euro Zone and thus do not use the Euro currency but the British pound. English is the countries official language but Cornish is also recognised as a regional language. The English economy is one of the largest in the world with GDP standing at $2.5 trillion. Public schools in England are in fact exclusive fee-paying private schools. Non fee-paying schools are called state schools and are funded mainly by the state. England has a strong sporting heritage, sports originating in England include; Tennis, boxing, thoroughbred horse racing and most famously football/soccer. England is home to the oldest football club in the world Sheffield FC founded in 1857.
World Cup History
England didn’t enter a FIFA World Cup until after World War II and have only failed to qualify for the finals on three occasions: Germany 74′, Argentina 78′ and USA 94′. 16 years after England entered their first tournament they were hosting it in 1966. England picked up two wins and a draw in the group stage beating both Mexico and France. Wins in the quarter-finals against Argentina and Eusébio’s Portugal in the semi-finals set up a grand finale against historical foes West Germany. The game went to extra-time after an 89th minute equaliser from Wolfgang Weber. With fans running on to the pitch Geoff Hurst secured World Cup glory with an iconic goal that had iconic commentary to match. Hurst is the only person ever to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final. England’s next best appearance came in Italy 1990 where they were knocked-out by Germany in the now dreaded penalty shoot out with Stuart Pearce and Chris Waddle both missing their penalties. Last 16 defeat to Germany in South Africa 2010 has left English fans itching for some World Cup success of old.
The Manager
Born in Croydon, Roy Hodgson has managed 15 club sides throughout Europe, taking charge of; Inter Milan, Udinese, Fulham and Liverpool but to name a few. Prior to taking the coveted but equally perilous role as head coach of the England football team, Hodgson garnered international experience managing most recently the United Arab Emirates but also had spells with Switzerland and Finland. Hodgson’s first outing as an international manager was with Switzerland where he enjoyed some success brining the Swiss to the last 16 of USA 94′ and qualification for Euro 96′. After one season with West Bromwich Albion, Hodgson was called upon to take the role as head coach of England on May 1 2012 leaving him with just over a month to prepare for Euro 2012. A squad hit by injury and a newly installed manager, expectation was considerably lower than usual going into a major final. England reached the quarter-finals only to be once again beaten on penalties. Post Euro 2012, Hodgson had brought England to third place in the FIFA World Rankings, their highest ever position since the rankings were introduced in 1992.
Qualification
Qualification from Group H required unenviable trips away to Poland and the Ukraine. While the stats show that England went through their qualification unbeaten, amassing 31 goals and conceding just four, qualification wasn’t as straight forward as the numbers suggest. Draws home and away to the Ukraine and a late equaliser from Kamil Glik in Warsaw ensured that the battle for the automatic qualification spot would go down to the final match day. England faced Poland at Wembley needing a positive result to top the group ahead of the Ukraine. A headed Wayne Rooney goal just before half-time and a Steven Gerrard strike with two minutes of normal time remaining ensured England automatic qualification for Brazil 2014.
Key Player(s)
England seemingly have a balance of youth and experience for this years World Cup. Captain Steven Gerrard has been playing as a regista or deep-lying playmaker for Brendan Rogers all season long and to good effect. Should the Liverpudlian translate his consistently good form over to the national team then the possession based football Hodgson has been looking to implement may become a reality. And at no better time as possession could be key in this years World Cup as the sweltering heat in Brazil will not be conducive to prolonged periods chasing the ball. At the back Gary Cahill has had a fine season for Chelsea and should provide defensive solidity at the back. Daniel Sturridge has enjoyed arguably his best Premier League season to date and looks likely to spearhead the English attack along sided Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney. If things initially do not go to plan Hodgson has offered himself a plethora of youthful exuberance in the form of Raheem Sterling, Luke Shaw, Ross Barkley and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
- Uruguay
- Costa Rica
- England
- Italy
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