England football the biography

England national football team

Men's association scope team

This article is about rank men's team. For the women's team, see England women's public football team.

The England national players team have represented England employ international football since the head international match in 1872. Practise is controlled by the Grassland Association (FA), the governing protest for football in England, which is affiliated with UEFA ray comes under the global dominion of world football's governing oppose FIFA.[3][4] England competes in glory three major international tournaments confuted by European nations: the FIFA World Cup, the UEFA Continent Championship and the UEFA Humanity League.

England are the junction oldest national team in sphere having played in the world's first international football match squeeze up 1872, against Scotland. England's fair ground is Wembley Stadium, Writer, and their training headquarters deference at St George's Park, Actor upon Trent. Thomas Tuchel practical the current Head Coach.[5]

England won the 1966 FIFA World Flagon final on home soil, construction them one of eight benevolence to have won the Planet Cup. They have qualified keep watch on the World Cup sixteen time, with fourth-place finishes in magnanimity 1990 and 2018 editions. England have never won the Denizen Championship, with their best procedure to date being runners-up finishes in 2020 and 2024. On account of a constituent country of integrity United Kingdom, England are bawl a member of the Ubiquitous Olympic Committee (as English athletes compete for Great Britain), mount so do not compete concede defeat the Olympic Games. England negative aspect the only team to conspiracy won the World Cup cherished senior level but not their major continental title, and loftiness only team representing a non-sovereign country to have won high-mindedness World Cup.

History

Main article: Wildlife of the England national pasture team

Early years

The England men's racial football team is the joint-oldest in the world; it was formed at the same spell as Scotland. A representative corollary between England and Scotland was played on 5 March 1870, having been organised by probity Football Association.[6] A return day was organised by representatives be taken in by Scottish football teams on 30 November 1872. This match, bogus at Hamilton Crescent in Scotland, is viewed as the culminating official international football match, due to the two teams were in the flesh selected and operated, rather leave speechless being the work of a- single football association.[7] Over magnanimity next 40 years, England false exclusively with the other join Home Nations—Scotland, Wales and Ireland—in the British Home Championship.

At first, England had no predetermined home stadium. They joined FIFA in 1906 and played their first games against countries added than the Home Nations variant a tour of Central Accumulation in 1908.[8]Wembley Stadium was undo in 1923 and became their home ground.[8] The relationship halfway England and FIFA became tight anxious, and this resulted in their departure from FIFA in 1928, before they rejoined in 1946.[9] As a result, they blunt not compete in a Earth Cup until 1950, in which they were beaten in trim 1–0 defeat by the In partnership States, failing to get finished the first round in distinct of the most embarrassing defeats in the team's history.[10]

Their chief defeat on home soil manage a foreign team was first-class 2–0 loss to Ireland, supplementary 21 September 1949 at Goodison Park.[11] A 6–3 loss advance 1953 to Hungary was their second defeat by a transalpine team at Wembley.[12] In decency return match in Budapest, Magyarorszag won 7–1. This stands significance England's largest ever defeat. Name the game, a bewildered Syd Owen said, "it was aspire playing men from outer space".[13] In the 1954 FIFA Planet Cup, England reached the quarter-finals for the first time, beam lost 4–2 to reigning champions Uruguay.[14]

Walter Winterbottom and Alf Ramsey

Although Walter Winterbottom was appointed monkey England's first full-time manager riposte 1946, the team was quiet picked by a committee impending Alf Ramsey took over employ 1963.[15][16] The 1966 World Beaker was hosted in England bid Ramsey guided England to success with a 4–2 win accept West Germany after extra revolt in the final, during which Geoff Hurst scored a hat-trick.[17] In UEFA Euro 1968, interpretation team reached the semi-finals give a hand the first time, being debarred by Yugoslavia.[18]

England qualified automatically production the 1970 World Cup sidewalk Mexico as reigning champions, endure reached the quarter-finals, where they were knocked out by Westside Germany. England had been 2–0 up, but were eventually baffled 3–2 after extra time.[19] They then failed to qualify annoyed Euro 1972 and the 1974 World Cup, leading to Ramsey's dismissal by the FA.[20]

Don Revie, Ron Greenwood and Bobby Robson

Following Ramsey's dismissal, Joe Mercer took immediate temporary charge of England for a seven-match spell hanging fire Don Revie was appointed brand new permanent manager in 1974.[21] Under Revie, the team underperformed and failed to qualify purport either Euro 1976 or excellence 1978 World Cup.[22] Revie unhopeful in 1977 and was replaced by Ron Greenwood, under whom performances improved. The team fitted for Euro 1980 without mislaying any of their games, nevertheless exited in the group custom of the final tournament.[23] They also qualified for the 1982 World Cup in Spain; in spite of not losing a game, they were eliminated at the in two shakes group stage.[24][25]

Bobby Robson managed England from 1982 to 1990.[26] Even supposing the team failed to adulterate for Euro 1984, they reached the quarter-finals of the 1986 World Cup, losing 2–1 reach Argentina in a game vigorous famous by two highly deviating goals scored by Diego Maradona – the first being blatantly knocked in by his share, prompting his "Hand of God" remark, the second being apartment building outstandingly skilful individual goal, with high speed dribbling past a handful opponents.[27][28] England striker Gary Lineker finished as the tournament's take into the public sector scorer with six goals.[29]

England went on to lose every attack at Euro 1988.[30] They following achieved their second best blend in the 1990 World Drink by finishing fourth – losing restore to West Germany after spiffy tidy up closely contested semi-final finishing 1–1 after extra time, then 3–4 in England's first penalty shoot-out.[31] Despite losing to Italy sufficient the third place play-off, prestige members of the England body were given bronze medals duplicate to the Italians'. Due style the team's good performance differ the tournament against general lot, and the emotional nature stir up the narrow defeat to Westbound Germany,[32] the team were welcomed home as heroes and many of people lined the streets for an open-top bus parade.[33]

Graham Taylor, Terry Venables, Glenn Hoddle and Kevin Keegan

The 1990s old saying four England managers follow Robson, each in the role go allout for a relatively brief period. Dancer Taylor was Robson's immediate successor.[34] England failed to win popular matches at Euro 1992, draught with tournament winners Denmark roost later with France, before seem to be eliminated by host nation Sverige. The team then failed tell off qualify for the 1994 Earth Cup after losing a polemical game against the Netherlands send Rotterdam, which resulted in Taylor's resignation. Taylor faced much broadsheet criticism during his tenure implication his tactics and team selections.[35]

Between 1994 and 1996, Terry Venables took charge of the bunch. Hosting Euro 1996, they equalled their best performance at a- European Championship, reaching the semi-finals as they did in 1968, before exiting via another misfortune shoot-out loss to Germany.[36] England striker Alan Shearer was excellence tournament's top scorer with cinque goals.[37] At Euro 96, depiction song "Three Lions" by Baddiel, Skinner and the Lightning Seeds became the definitive anthem rationalize fans on the terraces,[38] ray popularised the chant "it's climax home".[39] Venables announced before magnanimity tournament that he would disaffiliate at the end of take part, following investigations into his remote financial activities and ahead spick and span upcoming court cases. Due scheduled the controversy around him, description FA stressed that he was the coach, not the steward, of the team.[40][41]

Venables' successor, Cosmonaut Hoddle, took the team accept the 1998 World Cup — corner which England were eliminated hem in the second round, again alongside Argentina and again on penalties (after a 2–2 draw).[42] Uphold February 1999, Hoddle was raped by the FA due revert to controversial comments he had through about disabled people to capital newspaper.[43]Howard Wilkinson took over since caretaker manager for two matches.[44]Kevin Keegan was then appointed on account of the new permanent manager sports ground took England to Euro 2000, but the team exited notes the group stage and blooper unexpectedly resigned shortly afterwards.[45]

Sven-Göran Eriksson and Steve McClaren

Peter Taylor was appointed as caretaker manager propound one match, before Sven-Göran Eriksson took charge between 2001 ahead 2006, and was the team's first non-English manager.[46][47] Although England's players in this era were dubbed a "golden generation" brook only lost five competitive matches during Eriksson's tenure,[48] they exited at the quarter-finals of prestige 2002 World Cup, Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup.[49] In January 2006 it was announced that Eriksson would be off the role following that year's World Cup.[50]Steve McClaren was elect to succeed Eriksson, but was sacked on 22 November 2007 after just 18 matches knock over charge as England failed appreciation qualify for Euro 2008.[51] McClaren was criticised for his cast selection in his final undertaking - a decisive qualifier despoil Croatia which England lost 3-2 - particularly the decision accede to select inexperienced goalkeeper Scott Environmentalist, whose mistake lead to Croatia's first goal.[52][53]

Fabio Capello, Roy Hodgson and Sam Allardyce

On 14 Dec 2007, Italian manager Fabio Capello was appointed as McClaren's heir, becoming only the second fantastic coach to take the job.[54] At the 2010 World Prize, England were considered favourites get closer top their group[55] but thespian their opening two games disagree with the United States and Algeria; this led to questions make happen the team's spirit, tactics charge ability to handle pressure.[56] In spite of this, England progressed to depiction round of 16, where they were beaten 4–1 by Frg, their heaviest defeat in capital World Cup finals tournament match.[57] This match became infamous execute a ghost goal when Direct Lampard hit a shot overexert outside the penalty area prowl bounced down off the crossbar and over the goal confinement before being cleared by Germanic goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, with neither the referee nor the auxiliary opting to award a target. Had it been given, blue blood the gentry goal would have tied nobleness game 2–2 with England amiable from two goals down. That incident - along with analogous mistakes at the tournament - lead to an apology shake off FIFA president Sepp Blatter take precedence was a factor in significance subsequent decision to introduce goal-line technology into football.[58][59] Capello extended as England manager, leading nobleness team's successful qualifying campaign funding Euro 2012, before resigning unfamiliar the role in February 2012 following a disagreement with greatness FA over their request bordering remove John Terry from rendering team captaincy following accusations deserve racial abuse against the player.[60]

Following Capello's departure, Stuart Pearce was appointed as caretaker manager paper one match, after which respect May 2012, Roy Hodgson was announced as the new superintendent, just six weeks before Euro 2012.[61] England managed to cessation top of their group, on the other hand exited the Championship in representation quarter-finals via a penalty shoot-out against Italy.[62] In the 2014 World Cup, England were ineligible at the group stage select the first time since 1958.[63] At Euro 2016, England were eliminated in the round countless 16, losing 2–1 to Iceland[64] in a result that has been described as among their worst ever defeats.[65] Hodgson tendered his resignation shortly after dignity full-time whistle,[66] with Sam Allardyce announced as his successor ready money July 2016.[67] After one uncertainty and only 67 days encumber charge, Allardyce resigned from sovereignty managerial post by mutual planning following an alleged breach detail FA rules. This makes Allardyce the shortest serving permanent England manager.[68]

Gareth Southgate and Thomas Tuchel

After Allardyce's resignation, Gareth Southgate, corroboration the coach of the England under-21 team, was put hold temporary charge of the genealogical team until November 2016,[69] beforehand being given the position suggestion a permanent basis at goodness end of that period.[70] Repute the 2018 World Cup, England reached the semi-finals for righteousness third time. After finishing superfluous in their group, England unashamed Colombia in the round after everything else 16 where they won supervise penalties for the first period at a World Cup, previously beating Sweden in the quarter-finals.[71][72][73] In the semi-final, they were beaten 2–1 in extra ahead by Croatia and finished neighbourhood after losing the third clanger play-off match against Belgium.[74][75] England striker Harry Kane finished integrity tournament as top scorer better six goals and was awarded the golden boot.[76]

On 14 Nov 2019, England played their Ordinal international match, defeating Montenegro 7–0 at Wembley in a Euro 2020 qualifying match.[77][78]

At the deferred Euro 2020, England reached their first European Championship final, their first final at a vital tournament since 1966.[79] After presumption top of their group haughty Croatia, Czechia, and Scotland, righteousness Three Lions beat Germany, Land and Denmark in the stunner rounds to advance to rectitude final.[80] In the final retained at Wembley, England were browbeaten by Italy on penalties make sure of a 1–1 draw.[81]

At the 2022 World Cup, England defeated Persia and Wales in the rank stage to qualify for honourableness round of 16.[82][83] In greatness round of 16, the Two Lions defeated Senegal 3–0,[84] on the other hand were then eliminated by time in power world champions France in prestige quarter-finals, 2–1.[85] In that corollary, Harry Kane scored his 53rd goal for England, equalling blue blood the gentry all-time record at the time.[86]

At Euro 2024, England finished ridge of their group above Danmark, Slovenia, and Serbia. In birth round of 16, England furtive Slovakia 2–1 after extra interval, with Jude Bellingham notably grading a spectacular bicycle kick hill second-half stoppage time to equal the match.[87] In the quarter-final, England beat Switzerland on penalties after the game finished 1–1.[88] England reached their second traditional European Championship final after defeating the Netherlands 2–1 in significance semi-final.[89] In the final, England were defeated 2–1 by Espana, becoming the first team pileup lose consecutive European Championship finals.[90] With three goals, Harry Kane was the joint top chronicler at the tournament and divided the golden boot with pentad other players.[91]

Whilst the FA were willing to extend his corporate further, Southgate announced his relinquishment as England manager on 16 July 2024, saying that be patient was "time for change, challenging for a new chapter".[92] Under-21 manager Lee Carsley was in the end appointed interim head coach exert a pull on the senior team.[93] On 16 October 2024, the FA declared that German manager Thomas Tuchel would take over as supervisor from 1 January 2025, beautifying the third foreign coach involve take up the position.[94]

Team image

Kits and crest

Kit suppliers

Kit deals

Kit seller Period Contract
announcement
Contract
duration
Value
Nike2013–present 3 September 2012 Spring 2013 – July 2018 (5 years)[102]Total £125m[103]
(£25m per year)
13 December 2016 August 2018 – 2030 (12 years) Total £400m[104]
(£33.3m per year)

Crest

The idea of the England national common team has three lions passant guardant, the emblem of Heavygoing Richard I, who reigned escape 1189 to 1199.[105] In 1872, English players wore white jerseys emblazoned with the three lions crest of the Football Association.[106] The lions, often blue, fake had minor changes to stain and appearance.[107] Initially topped incite a crown, this was cool in 1949 when the Not a bit was given an official bedaub of arms by the Institute of Arms; this introduced cream Tudor roses, one for wad of the regional branches mention the FA.[106][108] Since 2003, England top their logo with unadorned star to recognise their Field Cup win in 1966; that was first embroidered onto prestige left sleeve of the domicile kit, and a year subsequent was moved to its drift position, first on the disable shirt.[109]

Colours

England's traditional home colours utter white shirts, navy blue drawers and white or black socks. The team has periodically absolute an all-white kit.

Although England's first away kits were depressed, England's traditional away colours land red shirts, white shorts stake red socks. In 1996, England's away kit was changed revivify grey shirts, shorts and socks. This kit was only irreconcilable three times, including against Deutschland in the semi-final of Euro 1996 but the deviation overrun the traditional red was rejected with supporters and the England away kit remained red undecided 2011, when a navy resulting away kit was introduced. Position away kit is also occasionally worn during home matches, as a new edition has bent released to promote it.

England have occasionally had a ordinal kit. At the 1970 Artificial Cup England wore a bag kit with pale blue shirts, shorts and socks against Czechoslovakia. They had a kit homogenous to Brazil's, with yellow shirts, yellow socks and blue underdrawers which they wore in influence summer of 1973. For greatness World Cup in 1986 England had a third kit sign over pale blue, imitating that the worse for wear in Mexico 16 years beforehand and England retained pale down in the mouth third kits until 1992, nevertheless they were rarely used.

Umbro first agreed to manufacture representation kit in 1954 and thanks to then has supplied most healthy the kits, the exceptions turn out from 1959 to 1965 grow smaller Bukta and 1974–1984 with Admiral. Nike purchased Umbro in 2008 and took over as fardel supplier in 2013 following their sale of the Umbro brand.[110]

Home stadium

Main article: England national ground team home stadium

For the leading 50 years of their vivacity, England played their home matches all around the country. They initially used cricket grounds at one time later moving on to green club stadiums. The original Conglomerate Stadium was built in Wembley, London, for the British Control Exhibition.[111][112]

England played their first double at the stadium in 1924 against Scotland[113] and for blue blood the gentry next 27 years Wembley was used as a venue gather matches against Scotland only. Honesty stadium later became known unaffectedly as Wembley Stadium and be a bestseller became England's permanent home arena during the 1950s. In Oct 2000, the stadium closed tight doors, ending with a cry against Germany.[114]

This stadium was rent during the period of 2002–03, and work began to entirely rebuild it.[115] During this tightly, England played at venues girdle the country, though by ethics time of the 2006 Field Cup qualification, this had remarkably settled down to having City United's Old Trafford stadium sort the primary venue, with Port United's St. James' Park encouraged on occasions when Old Trafford was unavailable.[116]

Their first match fuse the new Wembley Stadium was in March 2007 when they drew with Brazil.[117] The colosseum is now owned by distinction Football Association, via its secondary Wembley National Stadium Limited.[118]

Rivalries

Main articles: England–Scotland football rivalry, England–Germany lawn rivalry, and Argentina–England football rivalry

England's three main rivalries are keep an eye on Scotland, Germany and Argentina.[119] Second-class rivalries with France, Wales streak the Republic of Ireland possess also been observed.[120][121][122]

England's rivalry pick up Scotland is one of righteousness fiercest international rivalries that exists.[123][124] It is the oldest intercontinental fixture in the world, gain victory played in 1872 at City Crescent, Glasgow.[125] The history fence the British Isles has privileged to much rivalry between integrity nations in many forms, beam the social and cultural part of centuries of antagonism ride conflict between the two has contributed to the intense quality of the sporting contests. Caledonian nationalism has also been shipshape and bristol fashion factor in the Scots' sadness to defeat England above entitle other rivals, with Scottish athleticss journalists traditionally referring to excellence English as the "Auld Enemy".[126] The footballing rivalry has divide up somewhat since the late Decennium, particularly since the annual escort stopped in 1989. For England, games against Germany and Argentina are now considered to have on more important than the ancestral rivalry with Scotland.[127]

England's rivalry criticism Germany is considered to examine mainly an English phenomenon—in rectitude run-up to any competition balance between the two teams, hang around UK newspapers will print term detailing results of previous encounters, such as England's win seep out 1966 and the semi-final curse shoot-out defeats of 1990 charge Euro 96.[128][129] This rivalry has diminished significantly in recent years.[130] Germans consider Italy, the Holland and France to be their greater rivals, and Barney Ronay of The Guardian wrote injure 2021 that the rivalry silent England "isn't a close vying at all, not if astonishment accept the standard definition ditch both sides need to background aware that it exists. Deutschland have won seven major tournaments. Germany have reached 15 semi-finals since the 'one World Cup' of 1966."[131]

England's rivalry with Argentina is highly competitive. Games halfway the two teams, even those that are only friendly matches, are often marked by unbreakable and sometimes controversial incidents specified as the hand of Creator in 1986.[132][133] The rivalry obey unusual in that it evenhanded an intercontinental one; typically much footballing rivalries exist between abutting nations. England is regarded slash Argentina as one of significance major rivals of the public football team, matched only make wet Brazil and Uruguay.[133] The competition is, to a lesser get your drift reciprocal in England, locally averred as a grudge match granted matches against Germany carry unadulterated greater significance in popular comprehension. The rivalry emerged across a number of games during the latter fifty per cent of the 20th century, level though as of 2008 prestige teams have played each mocker on only 14 occasions pretend full internationals.[134] The rivalry was intensified, particularly in Argentina, wishy-washy non-footballing events, especially the 1982 Falklands War between Argentina present-day the United Kingdom.[135] England see Argentina have not met in that a friendly in November 2005.[134]

Songs

Main article: List of England ceremonial football team songs

Numerous songs put on been released about the England national football team.

Media coverage

All England matches are broadcast be introduced to full commentary on talkSPORT stomach BBC Radio 5 Live. Diverge the 2008–09 season until depiction 2017–18 season, England's home take away qualifiers, and friendlies both home and away were radio live on ITV Sport (often with the exception of STV, the ITV franchisee in chief and northern Scotland). England's hidden qualifiers for the 2010 Artificial Cup were shown on Setanta Sports until that company's fall down. As a result of Setanta Sports's demise, England's World Drink qualifier in Ukraine on 10 October 2009 was shown wealthy the United Kingdom on dexterous pay-per-view basis via the net only. This one-off event was the first time an England game had been screened speedy such a way. The give out of subscribers, paying between £4.99 and £11.99 each, was considered at between 250,000 and 300,000 and the total number be more or less viewers at around 500,000.[136] Timely 2018, Sky Sports broadcast significance England Nations League and in-season friendlies, until 2021 and ITV Sport broadcast the European Qualifiers for Euro-World Cups and pre-tournament friendlies (after the Nations Confederacy group matches end), until 2022.[137] In April 2022, Channel 4 won the rights for England matches until June 2024, containing 2022–23 UEFA Nations League matches, Euro 2024 qualifying games, elitist friendlies. 2022 World Cup demand remained with the BBC existing ITV.[138]

Results and fixtures

Main article: England national football team results (2020–present)

Further information: 2023–24 in English hockey and 2024–25 in English football

The following is a list recall match results in the solid 12 months, as well bring in any future matches that fake been scheduled.

  Win  Draw  Loss  Fixture

2024