2022 FIFA World Cup: England Team Preview, Odds, and Predictions

November 18, 2022

2022 FIFA World Cup preview for England, including starting 11, betting picks, analysis, odds and predictions.

The World Cup is finally here. A few months later than normal but here nonetheless. And the team at RotoBaller has you covered for all your World Cup needs. We'll bring you DFS articles, game previews, and betting picks throughout the competition.

To get things going, we're previewing different international clubs every day until the big kick-off on Sunday, November 20th. Today we continue the previews with England.

We'll be covering a brief snapshot of the nation's World Cup history, what to expect from the nation, a few highlighted players from the nation, and their predicted starting 11.

Today's World Cup Sportsbook Odds - England 

• Caesars Sportsbook World Cup Odds - Bet Now on Caesars
  • Bet England to win the World Cup at +950
  • Bet England to win the Group at -286
• BetMGM Sportsbook World Cup Odds - Bet Now on BetMGM!
  • Bet England to win the World Cup at +800
  • Bet England to win the Group at -333
• DraftKings Sportsbook World Cup Odds - Bet Now on DraftKings!
  • Bet England to win the World Cup at +900
  • Bet England  to win the Group at -280
• PointsBet Sportsbook World Cup Odds - Bet Now on PointsBet!
  • Bet England to win the World Cup at +800
  • Bet England to win the Group at -275
• FanDuel Sportsbook World Cup Odds - Bet Now on FanDuel!
  • Bet England to win the World Cup at +800
  • Bet England to win the Group at -240

If you are new to any of these sportsbooks, be sure to take advantage of the promo offers:

Preview 

It's been a story of so close, yet so far, for England under Gareth Southgate. At the 2018 World Cup, they reached the semi-final for the first time since 1990 before falling to Croatia. Then, at the 2020 European Championship, they lost, at home, to Italy on penalties in the final. There wasn't a more English way to lose, unfortunately. So despite the most successful spell for an England manager in 50 years, Gareth Southgate finds himself on the hot seat with many expectations on his shoulders.

Unfortunately for England, their time to win trophies may have already passed. France, Brazil, and others are rising, while the Three Lions ride the same crop of veterans for another tournament. If Southgate wants to go far in this tournament, he will have to break away from his tried-and-true mold and play some of his exciting youngsters. Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, and Phil Foden are some of the best talents in the world and deserve plenty of action in Qatar.

England should top their group with Wales, the USA, and Iran as their opponents and leave them with a game against the runners-up in Group A. That will likely be an exciting Ecuador outfit or a Sadio Mane-less Senegal. Then, if all goes according to plan, a date with France (with an outside chance of Argentina) is on the cards in the quarter-finals, and that's where it gets tricky. The defending World Cup champions are one of the strongest sides in the tournament, and I predict they will send England home.

Prediction: Lose in Quarter-Finals

Who is Starting for (England's) Squad in the 2022 World Cup

Predicted Starting 11 (5-2-3): Pickford, Trippier, Stones, Maguire, Dier, Shaw, Rice, Bellingham, Foden, Kane, Sterling

Alternate Options By Position:

GK: Pope, Ramsdale

DF: White, Alexander-Arnold, Coady

MF: Mount, Phillips, Henderson, Maddison, Gallagher

FW: Saka, Rashford, Grealish, Willson

Who Are England's Best Players To Watch?

Defense: Kieran Trippier - RB (Newcastle)

After a few years in La Liga with Atletico Madrid, Kieran Trippier returned to the Premier League in January with Newcastle. He endured a season-ending injury a few games into the campaign, but he's returned for the 2022/23 season and is lighting the world on fire. Trippier's standout performances have Newcastle flying high in third place in the Premier League. His form this year has propelled him above Trent Alexander-Arnold as the attacking wingback of choice for Gareth Southgate.

With England employing a 5-3-2, the Newcastle captain will have the opportunity to show his attacking flair in a reasonably easy group against Wales, the USA, and Iran. He's made 15 starts for his club this year and has one goal and four assists. Plus, he's a fantastic asset on set pieces and should play a crucial part in feeding Harry Kane in front of the goal.

Midfield: Jude Bellingham - CM (Borussia Dortmund)

This World Cup is the stage for Jude Bellingham to launch himself from up-and-coming star status and find himself among the Mbappe-like heights of world fame. Almost every top club in Europe is after the teenager's signature in next summer's transfer window, and his decision will tilt the balance of power in Europe one way or the other. If you don't know his name already, you will after Qatar.

Fortunately, for Gareth Southgate and England fans alike, he's English! He's forced his way into the starting XI after some incredible performances for Borussia Dortmund over the previous three seasons. During this campaign, Bellingham's played in 22 games and scored nine goals with four assists. It won't come home in 2022 unless the 19-year-old is integral to Southgate's plans.

Forward: Harry Kane - ST (Tottenham Hotspurs) 

The defending Golden Boot winner needs no introduction. Harry Kane continues to get it done for club and country, but this may be his final, good chance at international glory for England. He bagged six goals in Russia four years ago and still has the skills to equal that total in Qatar. The England captain is in fine form heading to the world's biggest stage with 12 goals and one assist in 15 Premier League games this season.

The 29-year-old leads Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, and Neymar in the Golden Boot odds. If he were to win the award again, he would become the first repeat winner in World Cup history. With Wales, the USA, and Iran as his Group B opponents, Kane can get off to a flying start in his Golden Boot defense, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him snag three or four in the group stage.

More 2022 World Cup Analysis