 is the dream and what we're aiming to do. It's going to be a tough tournament, we have to prepare for that but really excited to get going.' England are staying on the shore of the Arabian Gulf at the Souq Al Wakra Hotel, where fans replete in replica shirts and carrying St George's flags enthusiastically welcomed the team. 'It's coming home' and the less familiar 'Gareth Southgate super coach' were among the chants from supporters, including many of Indian descent. The fans rebuffed suggestions they had been paid by organisers to welcome the team. 'We are not paid,' said one fan, who wished to remain anonymous. 'Even if someone offered money to us for loving England we would rather tell them to get lost.' MORE : England suffer goal blunder giving Norway victory MORE :){kind=link}
NEWS… BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT
England’s World Cup squad touched down in Qatar last night, with captain Harry Kane insisting they remain on course for glory after reaching the semi-finals in 2018 and the final of last year’s European Championship.
Poor results this year have tempered expectations surrounding Gareth Southgate’s 26-man squad but captain Kane is adamant they remain on an upward trajectory.
‘We’ve been trending well in major tournaments so there’s only one more step to take and hopefully we can take it this time,’ the Tottenham striker said on arrival in Doha.
The unique build-up to this winter World Cup mean England will go into Monday’s Group B opener with Iran without having had a warm-up game, but Kane believes they will adapt.