Gary Lineker: England could go all the way at World Cup

Gary Lineker believes England can be a contender for glory at the Qatar World Cup and can win a major tournament in the next decade.

Gareth Southgate's side suffered a loss of form during the last Nations League campaign, denting some of the optimism created by a run to the final of Euro 2020, but Lineker said that would count for nothing come kick off in their opening fixture against Iran a week on Monday.

"England could go all the way," Lineker, who scored 48 international goals, said.

"They’ve got the players. You need things to go your way and your best players to find their form and steer clear of injuries. It’s knockout football and you’ll end up playing a great team.

"It’s really, really hard to win and that’s why we haven’t won it for so long but there’s no question in my mind this England team will be competitive over the next 10-12 years and they’ll probably win a tournament in that time.

"We’re now producing seriously good young footballers. Yes there was a dip in form in the last few games but that doesn’t really count…I’d take previous form with a pinch of salt. They’ve got a lot of good players and if they turn it on they can win it…

"We’re certainly one of the sides in contention. Not the out-and-out favourites but it’s hard to say if there is one."

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Lineker was excited by the 26-man squad named by Southgate on Thursday – particularly the inclusion of Leicester’s James Maddison – but felt AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomori was unlucky to miss out, suggesting England were light in central defence.

With Roma’s Tammy Abraham also overlooked, Lineker questioned whether playing overseas had counted against them.

"I’m only surmising but with players in the Premier League we see them all the