Harry Maguire: England have confidence to win the World Cup

The ball fight between Boulaye Dia (left) of Senegal and Harry Maguire of England. (Photo: THX/TTXVN)

England centre-back Harry Maguire insists the Three Lions are confident they can win the World Cup in Qatar and "bring football home".

Speaking to the press on December 7, the 29-year-old player said: "I think compared to the 2018 World Cup, the current England squad is completely different. We all believe we will win the World Cup now. Remember in 2018, we were very happy when we got a ticket to the Semi-finals, because we thought that whether we won or lost, we would return as heroes and be welcomed, everyone would still pat us on the back and praise us. But now, there is a change in the mentality of the team. We believe that the team will win the 2022 World Cup. Of course, we know how difficult that goal is."

At the 2018 World Cup, England finished second in Group G (behind Belgium, ahead of Tunisia and Panama). In the knockout stages, they beat Colombia and Sweden to set up a semi-final against Croatia. But at the Luhzniki Stadium in Moscow, England lost to Croatia in extra time, then lost to Belgium in the third-place match.

England topped a group containing the US, Iran and Wales before eliminating Senegal in the round of 16. The Three Lions will face France in the quarter-finals at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor on December 11 at 2am. This is also considered their biggest test so far at the 2022 World Cup.

The French team - the reigning champion of the tournament, is considered the second strongest candidate (after Brazil) for the 2022 World Cup championship.

According to VNA