⚽ England – Key Euro Statistics ⚽
Appearances at the Euro: ten
European titles: 0
Best finish: Final (2020)
Euro record: W15 D13 L10
Goals scored: 51
Biggest victory: 4-0 against Ukraine (Euro 2020)
Player to watch: Phil Foden
World ranking: 4th
Team nickname: The Three Lions Group meetings:
- June 16: Serbia vs England (Arena AufSchalke, Gelsenkirchen, 9:00 p.m. local/7:00 p.m. GMT)
- June 20: Denmark vs England (Frankfurt Arena, Frankfurt, 6 p.m. local/4 p.m. GMT)
- June 25: England vs Slovenia (Cologne Stadium, Cologne, 9:00 p.m. local/7:00 p.m. GMT)
How to follow our coverage of Euro 2024: UEFA Euro 2024 on Al Jazeera
There is an unavoidable irony in the predicament Gareth Southgate finds himself in ahead of Euro 2024, which begins with England’s tournament opener against Serbia on June 16 in Gelsenkirchen.
Since taking charge of England in 2016, the 53-year-old has worked diligently to transform the team’s sporting culture. Loyalty to a club is no longer a dividing line, the pressure of wearing the jersey has transformed into a privilege and incongruity has been replaced by identity.
Far from the individualism that marked the era of the English “Golden Generation”, Southgate’s system was built around the collective.
But the circle is now closed. He managed to break the star culture in England only to find himself trapped in the spotlight.
Southgate’s legacy is the dominant narrative for England heading into the Euros. The tournament is a referendum on his nearly eight-year reign, with a majority of the English public prepared to consider him a failure if he does not bring home the winner’s trophy from Germany.
It’s now or never for England
In many ways, Southgate was a victim of his own success: he led England to an improbable World Cup semi-final in 2018; lost the final of the previous Euro in 2021 on penalties; and he was one Harry Kane penalty away from possibly eliminating reigning champions France at the 2022 World Cup.
The Three Lions were 13th in the FIFA world rankings when he took the managerial reins in 2016 – they now sit fourth. Since the 2018 World Cup in Russia, they have not been out of the top five.
England’s consistency over the last six years has become so commonplace that it is almost taken for granted. It’s easy to forget that before Southgate took over, England’s last appearance in the semi-finals of a major tournament was at Euro 1996.
Ultimately, international football is a zero-sum game where success is measured in money and the Euros appear to be a now-or-never proposition for Southgate’s England.
It’s a proposition that was reflected in a bold team selection characterized by unusual risk. Midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, who has been a revelation for Manchester United this season, was picked despite only making his England debut in March.
Jordan Henderson, Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford and Kalvin Phillips – who have all been key pillars of Southgate’s teams – were not picked.
Beyond high expectations, Southgate found himself bruised by the intangible measure of “potential”. With the attacking talent at his disposal, fans feel Southgate’s reluctance to throw off the shackles has held back the team’s progress.
What to do with Foden?
Southgate’s judgment will be tested again in his choice of a starting XI, particularly regarding where he will play emerging star Phil Foden.
The Manchester City forward has thrived in the central midfield role he has been deployed in this season by manager Pep Guardiola. Foden’s 19 goals in the position led City to a fourth consecutive league title and saw him named the English Premier League Player of the Season.
However, Southgate has been reluctant to play Foden in the middle and has tended to pair Declan Rice with another defensive midfielder. Given the recent injury problems of Kieran Trippier and Luke Shaw – both of whom have been selected despite only playing four league games in total since the start of March – this seems unlikely to change.
On paper, England have one of the best teams in the tournament.
Alongside Foden, England’s attack includes Real Madrid midfield sensation Jude Bellingham and Bundesliga top scorer Harry Kane. Cole Palmer, Ollie Watkins and Rice were all on the shortlist for Premier League players of the season, and Palmer’s 22 EPL goals were second only to Erling Haaland in the race for the Golden Boot.
The Three Lions remained unbeaten in their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign and have lost just one game – a friendly against Brazil – in the 12 games they have played since the World Cup 2022 in Qatar.
At the Euros, they are drawn into a group that does not include any teams from the world Top 20, which opens up a high statistical probability that they will advance to the round of 16 of the tournament.
It’s easy to see why England are shaping up to be one of the favorites for Euro 2024. The question remains whether their performances will live up to their star status.
⚽ England’s final squad for Euro 2024 ⚽
Captain: Harry Kane
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal)
Defenders: Lewis Dunk (Brighton & Hove Albion), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United), Kyle Walker (Manchester City)
Midfielder : Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)
Advantages: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Brentford), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)
You can follow the action on Al Jazeera’s dedicated Euro 2024 tournament page with all the match build-up and live text commentary, and keep up to date with group standings and match results and schedules in real time .
