England’s tournament success marks unprecedented era, BBC reports
9 reported
According to a BBC News analysis, England's men's football team has reached at least the semi-finals in four out of five tournaments since Euro 2016, a period described as unprecedented. The article notes that ten years ago, after a last-16 exit to Iceland at Euro 2016 and a group-stage exit at the 2014 World Cup, the idea of England being serial contenders would have seemed laughable. The piece credits the elite player performance plan (EPPP) implemented in 2011 and the opening of St George's Park in 2012 for creating a production line of talent. It highlights that England's recent run includes two European Championship finals under former manager Gareth Southgate and a World Cup semi-final under current manager Thomas Tuchel. The article states that England's 2-1 extra-time victory over Norway on Saturday set up a semi-final meeting with Argentina and Lionel Messi. It concludes that the men's team still needs to win a trophy, with captain Harry Kane needing to hold aloft a trophy to complete the story.
What’s reported
England reached at least the semi-finals in four out of five tournaments since Euro 2016.
England lost to Iceland in the last 16 at Euro 2016 and finished bottom of their group at the 2014 World Cup.
The elite player performance plan (EPPP) was voted through by EFL clubs in 2011 at a cost of £340m.
St George's Park opened in 2012 after the Football Association purchased the land in 2001.
Gareth Southgate took England to successive European Championship finals, losing to Italy on penalties in 2021 and 2-1 to Spain in 2024.
Thomas Tuchel is now England's manager and led the team to a World Cup semi-final.
England beat Norway 2-1 in extra time on Saturday to set up a semi-final against Argentina.
The Lionesses won back-to-back European Championships and were runners-up at the 2023 Women's World Cup.
More than 12,000 boys are in the academy system and 91% will never play a professional game.
Key figures
Jude Bellingham (England player)
Harry Kane (England captain)
Gareth Southgate (former England manager)
Thomas Tuchel (current England manager)
Greg Dyke (former Football Association chairman)
Lionel Messi (Argentina player)
David Baddiel, Frank Skinner, Lightning Seeds (writers of Three Lions song)
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Cole Palmer, Phil Foden (England players left out of squad)
Alex Scott, Josh King, Ethan Nwaneri, Rio Ngumoha (pre-tournament training squad members)
Max Dowman (Arsenal player, age 16)
Sources: BBC News
