They have shifted through the gears and it is all systems go: England are in World Cup mode.
With eight months to go until the tournament kicks off in Qatar, you may think that all sounds a little bit premature.
But, when you take a closer look, it really isn’t. Including Saurday’s friendly versus Switzerland and Tuesday’s clash against the Ivory Coast – England have just eight games to fine tune their plan before the start of the tournament.
England are gearing up for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar in eight months time
Gareth Southgate’s side host both Switzerland and Ivory Coast in friendlies at Wembley
The added complication of a November World Cup, squeezed in midway through what will be a brutally congested domestic campaign, raises its own unprecedented challenges – as will the fact they head to Qatar as genuine contenders to lift the trophy.
And, of course, the issue of Qatar’s dreadful human rights record has provided Southgate and his players with another treacherous problem to solve, though the England boss did virtually guarantee that boycotting the World Cup in protest against the atrocities is a non-starter.
‘The support staff have been in tournament mode for a long time really; it’s over two years ago that we decided where we wanted to be based,’ said Southgate.
‘We’ve been working on projects behind the scenes, on preparations for those things for a number of months.
‘The draw is the next stage of that really in terms of them being able to analyse the immediate opposition more closely. So that never stops really.
Qatar’s human rights record has provided Southgate with plenty of problems to solve
‘That’s something where we are further advanced two tournaments on because some of the basics we know work are in place now.
‘But the circumstances of this particular tournament are different and the fact that there’s between seven and 10 days between the last league game and the first game of the tournament that is quite an extreme situation.
‘We’ve got to factor flying, getting over the time difference, some climate change within that, trying not to disrupt training pattern too much across those days.
‘Medically, there will be some big calls really quickly. The scenario we had with Kalvin Phillips last summer where he popped his shoulder in the 92nd minute of the last game, that’s going to take a really quick call this time so there is going to need to be a lot of collaboration with clubs.
‘I think we’ve identified all of those issues and it’s now just having the plans to deal with it.’ One thing Southgate appears to have in check is his team selection for the first game of the tournament.
Things can change, of course. Injuries, loss of form; though Southgate’s loyalty to the players who have served him well allows for a drop in performance levels for certain personnel.
But it is the unknown that might leave Southgate struggling for answers. A World Cup in November is unchartered territory for everyone involved.
England head into the tournament as favourites and will be aiming to secure World Cup glory
Staff can do all the planning possible, but quite how the players will react to playing in a winter World Cup, slap bang in the middle of a domestic season, remains to be seen.
Southgate said: ‘I think all the players were aware that this was an important camp. When I’ve spoken with the lads that have had to pull out, they recognised their disappointment because it’s so close to the tournament and knowing we’ve only got six matches left after this week.
‘I think it will be more complicated. I know there would have been a suggestion that not having a tournament at the end of the season would be better for freshness but I think we’ve disproved that with our last two tournaments.
‘We’ve handled the players well, physically, and we’ve kept them psychologically fresh. This time, the bigger concern is the volume of games close to the tournament.
‘It’s a really condensed programme of regular midweeks as well as the Saturdays so we’re just not sure what kind of impact that will have injury-wise.
‘When you lose players, okay, what are we doing, where are we heading? We don’t have time to sit and complain and mope about it. We just get on and adjust as best we can.’ But this is a group of players, who are used to tournament football. More pertinently – used to being successful in tournament football.
Southgate hailed his players and insists they are able to cope with whatever pressure they face
‘I said to the players the other day they’ll never experience pressure like they felt last summer,’ added Southgate.
‘To be in a European Championship where the majority of the games were at Wembley and never been to a final for 50 years – they’ve lived through enormous pressure so that should give them tremendous confidence in what they’re capable of.’
Southgate has used the last few days fine-tuning a three-at-the-back system, which could be deployed at Wembley against the Swiss.
Kyle Walker-Peters will be hopeful of a debut down the right-flank, while Luke Shaw is pushing to feature down the opposite side.
Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi is likely to make his debut for the Three Lions
Harry Maguire is hoping to start as he looks to put a difficult few weeks at domestic level behind him, while Marc Guehi is in line for his England debut.
Jordan Pickford will start in goal with Nick Pope due to replace him against the Ivory Coast on Tuesday night.
Jordan Henderson will start in midfield, while captain Harry Kane is expected to lead the line.
Southgate has confirmed Tyrick Mitchell will also make his debut in one of the next two games.