Setting the Ambitious Goal Euro 2024
In a bold and ambitious move, England’s manager, Gareth Southgate, has declared his team’s aim to secure the coveted top spot in the world rankings. Currently positioned at fourth in FIFA’s rankings, the Three Lions are gearing up for their crucial final Euro 2024 qualifier against North Macedonia scheduled for Monday.
Sealing Top Seed Status
Having already secured their qualification for the upcoming tournament in Germany, a draw in the upcoming match would solidify England’s position among the top seeds. Southgate underscored the importance of precision and excellence, stating, “On the off chance that you will be the highest level group, there’s no space for messiness or easygoing quality. On the off chance that we will be a top group, the degree of execution must be right on target without fail.
Chasing the Summit
Despite consistently ranking among the top five teams for five consecutive years, Southgate and his squad have set their sights on the number one spot currently held by World Cup winners Argentina, with France and Brazil trailing closely behind.
Rising Up the Ranks
The impending FiFa rankings update on November 30 could potentially see England rise to the third position, surpassing Brazil. However, Southgate’s aspirations extend beyond numerical rankings, driven by the relentless pursuit of consistency and excellence, both in major tournaments and day-to-day activities.
Rankings Impacting Behavior
Reflecting on the challenge, Southgate emphasized the profound impact of rankings on behavior, stating, “It sets behaviors every day on the training pitch, off the training pitch. With the games at the end of the week, we may be positioned third on the planet at the moment, yet we’re two spots off where we should be, so we can’t squander games.
Competition and Challenges Euro 2024
Despite grappling with challenges, including injuries to key players such as Kieran Trippier and Jarrod Bowen, Southgate highlighted the fierce competition for places in the squad. He stressed that time was running out for players to prove themselves ahead of the Euro 2024 tournament.
Acknowledging potential distractions, especially after England’s subdued 2-0 victory over Malta on Friday, Southgate redirected the team’s focus. Looking forward, he expressed, “I feel as though we’ve nearly blabbered about the Euros as of now, and I didn’t see our concentration perfectly positioned at the end of the week. So, it’s Monday, then it’s March, then it’s the summer. And we go from there.
