England face France in the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar this Saturday. But what happens should Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions lose to Les Bleus at Al Bayt Stadium?
Southgate has led England to the last eight at successive World Cups after finishing fourth at Russia 2018. But his squad now face their toughest challenge at Qatar 2022 yet with the reigning title holders. France won their second crown so far against Croatia four years ago.
Iran, the USA, Wales and Senegal have so far stood between England and a second World Cup title in Qatar. The 1966 champions trashed Team Melli 6-2, drew 0-0 with the USA and sent Wales home in a 3-0 win to top Group B. They also sent Senegal out 3-0 in the last 16.
What happens if England lose to France at the 2022 World Cup?
France, though, are a step above what England have come through at the 2022 World Cup so far. Les Bleus topped Group D after beating Australia 4-1 and Denmark 2-0 before losing 1-0 to Tunisia with a heavily-changed XI. Poland were also no match for France in a 3-1 tie.
Now, England and France meet for a place in the semi-finals against Morocco or Poland on Saturday, December 10. It is both sides’ first fixture at the 2022 World Cup against another top 10-ranked FIFA nation. Didier Deschamps’ men are fourth ahead of Southgate’s in fifth.
But what happens if England lose to France at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar? Well, should Deschamps’ squad win the cross-English Channel rivalry match, Southgate and his players will be out. There are no second chances at the FIFA tournament in the knockout stages.
The England players will share a large bonus even if they lose to France
Even if England lose to France in the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup, Southgate and his players will share a large bonus. FIFA has allocated a total prize pool of $440m (£358m) for the 22nd edition of its tournament, per Forbes. It gave $400m (£326m) for Russia 2018.
Of the prize pool, the nation which wins the World Cup will earn $42m (£34m). FIFA allows the football association of the winning nation to determine what percentage is given to its players. FIFA also expects it will make $4.7bn (£3.83bn) in revenue throughout Qatar 2022.
But should England lose to France in the World Cup quarter-finals, Metro reports FIFA will award The FA £14m. Although it also cites a total prize pool for Qatar 2022 worth £590m. The higher fee would make the 22nd edition of FIFA’s tournament the most lucrative yet.
Will Southgate and his players fly home straight away on Saturday?
It is unlikely that Southgate and his players would fly home straight away should England lose to France on Saturday. The quarter-final tie kicks off at 19:00 GMT, which is 22:00 in Qatar. The Gulf state uses Arabia Standard Time, so it will be almost midnight at full-time.
So, the Three Lions will likely head back to their base at the Souq Al Wakra Hotel Qatar by Tivoli. Some of the England squad – which includes Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea, Everton, Leicester, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham stars – may then opt to immediately re-join their respective teams.
Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka, for example, flew straight to Dubai to link up with Mikel Arteta’s squad after Switzerland’s exit. The Gunners are one of many Premier League sides currently in the Middle East enjoying warm-weather training camps during the World Cup.
When would the Three Lions next play at the World Cup?
If England lose to France on Saturday, the Three Lions would not play at a World Cup again until 2026. That is if they qualify for the expanded 48-side tournament that the USA will co-host with Mexico and Canada. FIFA plans to up the number of nations from the current 32.
You have to go back to the last World Cup in America in 1994 for the last tournament that England failed to qualify for. The Three Lions are currently competing at their seventh in a row at Qatar 2022. France also last failed to feature at USA 1994 before hosting it in 1998.
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