Introduction

With the European Championships set to start this summer, many football enthusiasts are curious as to why one of Europe’s footballing giants, England, will not be participating. While the Three Lions had hoped to make the cut, their absence has left fans wondering why. In this article, we explore the reasons why England will not be competing in this year’s tournament.

Failure to Qualify

The simplest reason for England’s absence is that they failed to qualify. In a group featuring the likes of the Czech Republic, Bulgaria and Montenegro, England finished third, winning just four out of eight games. The team’s poor performances resulted in them finishing six points off second place, meaning they missed out on automatic qualification. While they had the opportunity to qualify through the playoffs, they fell short once again, losing to Croatia in the semi-finals. It was a disappointing campaign for the Three Lions, who had gone into the competition with high hopes following a strong showing in the World Cup just a year earlier.

Impact of COVID-19

COVID-19 has had a significant impact on the world of football, and England was no exception. The pandemic delayed the start of the initial qualification campaign and forced many football associations to modify their schedules. The break disrupted the momentum of many teams, including England, which had been on an eight-game winning streak before the pandemic. The delay allowed their competitors to catch up and ultimately surpass them in the group standings. Furthermore, COVID-19 restrictions resulted in empty stadiums and strict safety protocols, which affected the performance of the England team and contributed to their failure to qualify.

Lack of Quality Players

Some have argued that the absence of quality players is a contributing factor to England’s failure to qualify. While the team has a number of talented individuals such as Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling, they lack depth in many areas. The team’s midfield has been a problem for years, and the lack of a reliable central midfielder was evident in their qualifying matches. Furthermore, their defence has been shaky, with many of their regulars out of form or injured. Without a solid defence, the team was unable to win necessary matches and secure qualification.

Conclusion

In conclusion, England’s absence from the Euros can be attributed to a combination of factors. The team’s failure to perform in qualifying, the impact of COVID-19 on the footballing world, and the lack of quality players were all significant contributors. Fans will undoubtedly be disappointed that they won’t see their team compete in the tournament, but this may provide an opportunity for the team to regroup, rebuild and come back stronger in future competitions.