Nation: England
FIFA ranking: 5th
World Cup achievements: Winners (1966), semi-finals (1990, 2018)

Sky Sports' Nick Wright:

Semi-finalists at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Runners-up at Euro 2020. We all know what happens next, right? Surely this is the year football finally comes home?

If only it were that simple.

England have taken huge strides at major tournaments under Gareth Southgate. Their semi-final appearance in Russia was their first since 1990 and only their second since 1966. Their subsequent run to the final of European Championship was unprecedented.

But the optimism generated during those tournaments has somewhat faded over the last year, the atmosphere around the national team turning toxic during the four-game winless run at the end of last season which culminated in a 4-0 thrashing by Hungary.

England have issues. In defence, there are injury problems and major question marks over personnel, with Southgate seemingly reluctant to deviate from old favourites struggling for form. Up front, there is too much reliance on Harry Kane for goals.

Still, though, they should not be discounted. They have been handed a relatively favourable route into the knockout stages in Group B and, provided they make it that far, their recent experience of going deep at tournaments should serve them well.

Southgate’s squad, while not without its flaws, is also replete with talent. In Kane, they will have one of the best strikers in Qatar. There is guile and creativity behind him too. Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham are all older, wiser and, hopefully, better.

Southgate's critics still question whether he is the right man to get the best out of that attacking talent. They say he still has something to prove when it comes to overcoming top opposition in the biggest games.

But he has already taken England further than any of his most recent predecessors and that in itself should offer hope. England may be imperfect, but they head into the tournament as contenders.

Group B

Fixtures & results

Most recent squad

Insight

England’s major tournament campaigns under Gareth Southgate have been built on defensive solidity.

In Russia four years ago, they reached the last four using a back three and nicking goals off set pieces. At the Euros last summer, the system varied but the defensive emphasis remained, with only two goals conceded in seven games on the run to the final.

Keep it tight at the back and capitalise on the scoring chances when they come. It’s the Southgate blueprint but many supporters are now eager to see more adventurousness.

It seems unlikely Southgate will change his approach given how far it has got England at the last two tournaments but what’s certain is the defensive players he previously relied upon are no longer so reliable.

Harry Maguire and John Stones have spent most of this season on the sidelines. Reece James is unavailable due to injury while Kyle Walker, although included in the squad, is still recovering from a fitness problem of his own.

Suddenly, England’s lack of defensive depth has been exposed. Ben White is a fresh option but Southgate will need stalwarts such as Maguire, Stones and Eric Dier to step up.

We will soon see if he has been too hesitant in renewing his defence but we already know he has some thrilling options further forward. Many feel he should prioritise maximising that talent.

Kane remains the figurehead but he is not the only player heading into the tournament in fine form. Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka have been two of the Premier League’s outstanding performers this season. Callum Wilson too. Marcus Rashford has shown signs of flickering into life as well.

With Raheem Sterling and Jack Grealish also in contention, Southgate has a fearsome array of attacking weapons. The challenge is to use them in the most effective way possible. Without such sturdy defensive foundations, Southgate may need to get more out of his attacking players.

Player to watch

Name: Jude Bellingham
Position: Midfielder
Club: Borussia Dortmund
Age: 19

Could this be Jude Bellingham's time? The midfielder became the youngest player to feature for England at a major tournament when he came off the bench in the 1-0 win over Croatia at Euro 2020 aged 17 years and 349 days old, going on to play a total of 56 minutes on their run to the final.

This time, he will hope to figure much more prominently.

Bellingham has accrued invaluable experience over the course of the last year, both internationally, winning 17 caps in total, and at club level, where his importance to Borussia Dortmund has continued to grow.

Bellingham started all but two of Dortmund's 34 Bundesliga games last season and he is yet to miss a minute in the new campaign, his performances attracting interest from Liverpool and prompting Dortmund to place an eye-watering £130m price-tag on his head.

Gareth Southgate might just find it impossible to overlook him in Qatar. Declan Rice is of course a guaranteed starter, while Kalvin Phillips is deemed similarly important in his midfield.

But Phillips will not be coming into the tournament anywhere near as well prepared as Bellingham due to his recent injury problems and lack of playing time for Manchester City, and that could demand a re-think.

Recent evidence suggests Bellingham will be ready to seize his chance. He is still a teenager having only turned 19 in June but his burgeoning talent, and his combination of physical and technical prowess, could make him crucial for England this winter.

Where will England stay?