England greeted by excited followers on arrival at World Cup in Qatar

Gareth Southgate waved at excited followers as England arrived at their World Cup base to ramp up their quest for Qatar glory.

aving completed runners-up finally summer time’s European Championship on the again of reaching the semi-finals in Russia 4 years in the past, the Three Lions are among the many favourites to triumph within the Center East.

Southgate’s 26-man squad linked up at St George’s Park on Monday contemporary from the Premier League pausing and adopted a whirlwind day of duties by jetting off to Qatar on Tuesday.

England flew on a aircraft referred to as ‘Rain Bow’ – noteworthy given the host nation’s oppressive legal guidelines and therapy of LGBTQ+ folks – and touched down in Doha at round 8pm native time.

The Three Lions obtained a passionate welcome from a number of hundred folks in Al Wakrah – the shoreline metropolis they hope to name residence for the subsequent 4 weeks.

England are staying on the shore of the Arabian Gulf on the five-star Souq Al Wakra Resort, the place followers replete in reproduction shirts and carrying St George’s flags enthusiastically welcomed the group.

“It’s coming residence” and the much less acquainted “Gareth Southgate tremendous coach” have been among the many chants from supporters, a lot of whom have been of Indian descent.

The followers strongly rebuffed any suggestion they’d been paid by organisers to welcome the group.

“We’re not paid,” mentioned one fan, who wished to stay nameless. “Even when somebody provided cash to us for loving England we might moderately inform them to get misplaced.”

One other supporter confirmed the ‘England Followers Qatar’ group on WhatsApp, which had 535 members. He mentioned 5 extra comparable chats have been additionally operating.

Followers mentioned their help for England was born out of their love of the Premier League, citing the likes of former stars Wayne Rooney, David Beckham and John Terry.

The present squad obtained an excited welcome once they rolled up. A barrier that was erected inside the principle fence shortly toppled over as followers rushed to catch a glimpse of their heroes.

Southgate waved on the ready supporters from the bus and made a degree of coming round to thank them for turning out.

England will start coaching at close by Al Wakrah SC Stadium on Wednesday having left their residence base at St George’s Park, the place Harry Kane spoke of the group’s delight to be competing on the world stage.

“I’m excited, a World Cup is a special day,” the skipper mentioned.

“I feel for many professionals it’s the greatest event you possibly can play in as a participant, and I’ve been fortunate sufficient to do one and it was one of many best experiences of my life.

“(The fan help is) going to be huge. I keep in mind after we have been out in Russia in our personal little bubble.

“We noticed all of the movies from again residence going loopy, it makes an enormous distinction, it motivates us to achieve success. We wish to make the followers proud and blissful.

“In fact, there can be some within the stadiums, we at all times have nice help, however most can be at residence and we simply wish to make them proud.”

England open Group B in opposition to Iran on Monday, earlier than taking up the USA and neighbours Wales.

It means a whirlwind turnaround from membership motion and the necessity to shortly acclimatise to the climate in Qatar, the place temperatures are within the thirties through the day.

“It’s one thing we now have to take heed to, we play on Monday and it’ll be a very necessary sport,” Kane advised the Lions’ Den on England’s YouTube channel.

“Everyone seems to be match-fit and able to go, come Monday we ought to be prepared.”