ENGLAND might want to finish SECOND in their World Cup group – to have an easier chance of glory.
Thomas Tuchel’s side were handed a tough-looking opening group with games against Croatia, Ghana and then Panama. They are still the favourites to top the section.
But while that would mean a last 32 game against a third-placed side – probably one of Ivory Coast, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Algeria and Uzbekistan – things would suddenly get really tough.
Co-hosts Mexico would lie in likely wait in the last 16, with England having to take on the passion of the Azteca Stadium, where their hopes died at the hands – and feet – of Diego Maradona and Argentina in 1986.
Surviving that would lead to a probable last eight showdown with Brazil – whom England have NEVER beaten in a competitive game – in the heat and humidity of Miami.
They would then need to overcome Argentina in Atlanta in the semi-finals to get a shot at Final glory.
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Coming second, though, could mean a far less tough path – and a huge climate advantage.
It could also bring a repeat of the fortune that befell Gareth Southgate’s side on their run to the last four in 2018 – including getting Sweden in the quarter-finals.
If England finished in second place, they would miss out on the “Big Four” advantage of avoiding Spain, Argentina and France until the semis.
England would face a last 32 tie against the runners up of Portugal’s Group L, likely to be Colombia, but in Toronto, the coolest of the east coast stadiums.
They would be then on course to take on Euro 2024 Final conquerors Spain in the air-conditioned AT&T Stadium home of the Dallas Cowboys.
But surviving that would mean a quarter-final, probably against Belgium, again indoors, this time in the Sofi Stadium in Los Angeles – owned by Arsenal majority shareholder Stan Kroenke.
That would lead to a semi-final against France, back under the roof in Dallas, before heading to the MetLife Stadium outside New York for the July 19 final – likely against Argentina.
England are desperate to end their 60 years of hurt without a World Cup triumph and boss Thomas Tuchel will hope to deliver the trophy in his first major tournament.
The German insisted it was a “difficult group” but said his team would be confident of getting through when they arrived next year.
He said: “Difficult group, difficult opener. Difficult group with Croatia and Ghana, two regulars in World Cups and two proud and strong nations.
“Panama, I don’t know much about Panama at the moment but we will find out about it before the tournament starts, of course.
“For me, I’m only experienced group football in Champions League formats and the way to approach it was to always give it the biggest respect and to put all the focus into winning the group.
“It always seems difficult like our group now but we are confident and we will be well prepared when we arrive.”
The Three Lions have suffered a couple of agonising near-misses after predecessor Gareth Southgate guided them to two Euro finals.
But England were beaten on penalties by Italy in the Euro 2020 final and lost 2-1 to Spain in the Euro 2024 showpiece last year.
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