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England World Cup 2022 fixtures: Kick-off times and route to the final

England's Harry Maguire reacts towards an official during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between England and Senegal, at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022 - AP Photo/Abbie Parr
England's Harry Maguire reacts towards an official during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between England and Senegal, at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022 - AP Photo/Abbie Parr

Harry Maguire has insisted anything short of winning the World Cup will be a failure after a major shift in mentality within the England squad.

Maguire was part of the team who reached the semi-finals four years ago, followed by the final of the European Championship, but has seen a change in the mindset of Gareth Southgate’s players, who believe they must win in Qatar.

“That’s the one thing I’d say that’s a lot different from the 2018 squad to this squad, we really believe it is possible,” Maguire said. “I played in 2018 and we got to the semi-final and I think a lot of the lads were happy. You knew that whatever happened in that semi-final you’d go home and be classed as a hero. I think now there’s a belief we’ve got to win this tournament.

“It is a good change in the mentality. Of course, we know how tough it is going to be. I think there are probably five or six teams with the same belief. But in 2018, we probably weren’t one of those. Now we’re one of them.”

Southgate has kept faith with Maguire throughout his turbulent year at Manchester United, where he has lost his place. The player has appeared much more relaxed in the Three Lions shirt during this tournament and has performed at a high level despite a lack of game time at United.

“At Man United I’m under a lot more scrutiny. Everything I do gets analysed. Every pass I make gets analysed,” he said. “Every goal we concede is a defender’s fault and if you’re playing week in, week out as I did for years, the last year hasn’t been good enough. No one came out of the season with plaudits, so it was the general team last season, but this one has been much better.

“The trust that the [England] manager has shown in me, pretty much every game I’ve been available for I’ve played for him and I feel like I’ve never let him down. He’s been brilliant, he’s given me confidence to go out and play and express myself and play to my attributes.”

England's World Cup schedule

Round of 16

England 3 Senegal 0

Quarter-finals

England's quarter-final is at 7pm on Saturday, December 10. They play France, who beat Poland in the second round.

There are two quarter-finals on the day before, at 3pm and 7pm, and another at 3pm on the Saturday.

Semi-finals

If England reach the semi-finals, they could meet either Morocco or Portugal. The semi-finals will take place on Tuesday December 13 and Wednesday December 14. England would be playing on the latter date.

Final

The World Cup final will take place on Sunday December 18 at 3pm (GMT) at the Lusail Iconic Stadium. If England are in the final, they could be pitted against Argentina or Brazil.

Group B results

England 6 Iran 2: November 21
USA 1 Wales 1: November 21
Wales 0 Iran 2: November 25
England 0 USA 0: November 25
Iran 0 USA 1: November 29
Wales 0 England 3: November 29

Who is in the England squad?

Southgate named a 26-man squad for the tournament, including call-ups for James Maddison and Conor Gallagher.

Among the goalkeepers, Pickford talks about the “GK Union” at England’s base in Al Wakrah, where Nick Pope and Aaron Ramsdale have to support the No 1 while also wanting eventually to take his place. The reserves cannot sulk and must be at the right level for meaningful training.

“Me, Popey and Rammers work really well together, we never have a day off,” Pickford said. “Every time we train we train properly, every single day. Then at the end of the day we have finishing drills against the top boys.

“Harry Kane and Rashy [Marcus Rashford] every day in training is going to get the best out of you because they are ruthless and you are doing well to save shots and when you do, it gives you confidence. The level is really high.

“We have three keepers performing really well for their clubs and we come away as one when we come to England. We all want to be No 1 but there is only one shirt to wear. Whoever plays, everyone is always supportive. That works really well and the togetherness we have as a union is really good.”

Could an England player win the Golden Boot?

Very possibly. Marcus Rashford or Bukayo Saka look the most likely candidates, with both on three goals. Kylian Mbappe leads the way with five goals, two ahead of anyone else.

Latest news

By Matt Law

Raheem Sterling will rejoin England’s World Cup squad on Friday after the Football Association confirmed the forward has decided to fly back to Qatar.

Telegraph Sport reported on Wednesday night that there was optimism Sterling would fly back to Qatar in time for England’s quarter-final against France on Saturday and the forward is scheduled to train with the rest of the squad on Friday.

Sterling, who celebrated his 28th birthday on Thursday, had been granted compassionate leave to return to England on Sunday after a robbery at his home in Surrey, where his family were staying, and missed the last-16 victory over Senegal.

Although there is virtually no chance of Sterling starting against France, having missed almost the entire week of training, his return will still be a positive for manager Gareth Southgate.

An FA statement said: “Raheem Sterling will return to England’s World Cup base in Qatar. The Chelsea forward temporarily left to attend a family matter, but is now expected to rejoin the squad at Al Wakrah on Friday (9 December) ahead of the quarter-final with France.”

Sterling will be able to take a place among the substitutes and give Southgate a full range of options from the bench should England need a goal at any stage against France.

With Callum Wilson missing training on Wednesday with what was described as being a ‘minor strain’, the return of Sterling will be particularly timely even though the Newcastle United striker is confident of being fit.

Sterling’s return will also be welcomed by his England team-mates, who had been concerned for the 27-year-old and his family, and had been messaging him their best wishes since his departure from the squad.

Sterling made it clear that he would only consider returning to the England squad once he could be confident that his family were safe and well, and after speaking with the police.

On Wednesday, Surrey police, who have been investigating the robbery at Sterling’s home, revealed they had arrested two men over a separate incident.

A statement said: “Two men were arrested on suspicion of attempted burglary last night (6 December) in the Oxshott area. They are currently in custody.

“Following reports of suspicious activity around 6.40pm, a number of resources were deployed, including the dog unit and the police helicopter. Our colleagues from British Transport Police also provided assistance.

“At this time these arrests are not being linked to an ongoing investigation into a burglary which received significant media coverage over the weekend. That separate investigation remains ongoing and as of 12.00 on Wednesday, 7 December no arrests have been made in connection with that.

“Officers are carrying out enquiries into the circumstances and the investigation remains ongoing.”