Roy Keane says England MUST believe in their chances of World Cup glory

Roy Keane insists England have to believe they can go one step further than Euro 2020 and WIN next year’s World Cup as the Man United legend claims Gareth Southgate’s squad has the ‘potential’ to triumph in Qatar


Roy Keane and Ian Wright believe England must enter the Qatar World Cup with confidence they can win the competition after the Three Lions booked their place in next year’s tournament. 

Gareth Southgate’s side smashed 10 past minnows San Marino to automatically qualify for Qatar, with hopes high that they can go one step further than their Euro 2020 effort and get their hands on a first major trophy since 1966.

Southgate is blessed with a richly talented squad, with the likes of Phil Foden, Mason Mount and Jude Bellingham among a number of youngsters hoping to get England over the line next year.

Roy Keane says England must enter the Qatar World Cup with confidence they can win it

And former Ireland international Keane believes that England’s focus ‘has to be’ on going all the way in Qatar, insisting that the Three Lions will be looking to compete with their biggest rivals.

Asked whether a tilt at the World Cup can be discussed, the ITV pundit said: ‘It has to be, I think with the players, the potential… obviously a lot can change over the next few months but yeah, at this moment in time England have got to look at going to the World Cup believing they can compete.’

Keane added that, following a hectic 2021 in which England just missed out on Euro glory after penalty shootout defeat to Italy, Southgate has earned a break before the March internationals.

England booked their spot at next year's competition with a 10-0 victory over San Marino

England booked their spot at next year’s competition with a 10-0 victory over San Marino

Roy Keane says Southgate has the 'potential' at his disposal to go all the way in Qatar

Roy Keane says Southgate has the ‘potential’ at his disposal to go all the way in Qatar

‘He will just reflect now,’ he said. ‘Gareth deserves one or two months off, recharge the batteries, reflect on where they are and hope the players go back and continue to work hard, do well at club level.

‘A little bit of luck, no injuries and before you know it you are back into the games in March and the summer, the important games.

‘All that will take care of itself, I think he deserves a little bit of a break.’

Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright hailed England’s near flawless qualifying campaign and said he is looking forward to the Three Lions facing higher quality opposition next year.

Ian Wright is looking forward to England taking on sterner opposition throughout next year

Ian Wright is looking forward to England taking on sterner opposition throughout next year

‘You have got to be happy with the qualifying group we’ve got, you’ve got to say,’ he said. ‘We have come out of it very impressively. 

‘A lot of young players coming through and a lot of positivity for Gareth to build on so you can’t complain, you can’t argue with it. 

‘I think it is great, I just can’t wait for us to a stage where we are playing some really top end calibre teams so we can see exactly where we are.’  

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