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Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson says the Three Lions are capable of reaching the 2022 World Cup final.
As reported by the Mirror, Eriksson has backed Gareth Southgate to take his talented side all the way to the last match in Qatar.
England last reached that stage of the World Cup in 1966, when they lifted the trophy on home soil. But they came close to replicating that in 2018, falling at the semi-finals to Croatia.
Eriksson led England to the quarter-finals in both of the World Cups he was in charge for, in 2002 and 2006. But he says Southgate can take the team to another level this winter.
Eriksson backs England to reach World Cup final
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England have been drawn in Group B alongside Iran, the USA and Wales. They will play their three group matches on the 21st, 25th and 29th of November.
Southgate has chosen a very strong 26-man squad for the tournament, one that Eriksson believes has the ability to go all the way to the final.
“I think they have a really strong squad and I think they can do it, reaching the final maybe,” said Eriksson.
“But you know a little bit of luck is important, maybe they can win it.
“The reason I say that is because if you ask 10 or 100 experts ‘who’s going to win the World Cup’, you will have different answers.
“I can’t see anyone who is a great, great favourite to win it. There are many and I think England is one of them.”
— England (@England) November 17, 2022
Brazil, France among favourites
Many pundits and indeed bookmakers have backed Brazil to lift the trophy this time around. Their star-studded squad includes the likes of Neymar and Vinicius Jr.
The South American side have won the World Cup five times, more than any other nation. Eriksson believes they will be among the final teams in Qatar, alongside France, Germany, Spain and England.
France have been impacted by injuries to key midfielders Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante. But the defending champions still have several stars, including Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema.
Germany and Spain meanwhile boast countless players playing in Europe’s top leagues and playing regular Champions League football.
“France, they won the last time,” said the former England boss. “Brazil I think they have a lot of important names, you have Germany always there, Spain are there of course.
“But England is there and I think that’s important. It will be extremely interesting when it starts on Sunday.”
The 2022 World Cup opens on Sunday with hosts Qatar playing Ecuador in Group A.
Ex-England boss unsure which XI Southgate will pick
Like many following England, Eriksson is unsure exactly how the Three Lions will line up in their opening game against Iran.
The ex-England manager believes there is plenty of talent available, and did his best to predict what team Southgate will go with.
“That’s impossible, I don’t know but I guess the goalkeeper will be Pickford I suppose,” said Eriksson.
“I’m not sure if they’ll play three central defenders or not. I guess Dier is one, Stones is one, Walker is one. Then, wing-backs, I don’t know.
“Maguire, I don’t know if he’s going to play or not but I think Dier, Stones and Walker if they play a three. It’s strong. Then Kane will play, then you tell me. Who’s going to play together with him?”
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