Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleGary Lineker suggests that injury-disrupted seasons for key England players like Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham could be an unexpected advantage at the World Cup, ensuring they are fresh. He noted that English players often appear fatigued at major tournaments, but this year, several star players, including Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford, have had periods of rest. Lineker expressed confidence in the England manager's ability to handle the intense scrutiny surrounding squad selections, acknowledging that differing opinions are a natural part of football. Reflecting on England's historical performance, Lineker, who was five during the 1966 World Cup win, shared his personal hope for the team to secure a victory in his lifetime. He believes England has an “outside shot” at winning the tournament, despite acknowledging the challenges ahead. In fullGary Lineker explains why England have ‘outside shot’ at World Cup gloryThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Why Gary Lineker thinks England could have a shot at World Cup glory
Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleGary Lineker suggests that injury-disrupted seasons for key England players like Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham could be an unexpected advantage at the World Cup, ensuring they are fresh. He noted that English players often appear fatigued at major tournaments, but this year, several star players, including Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford, have had periods of rest. Lineker expressed confidence in the England manager's ability to handle the intense scrutiny surrounding squad selections, acknowledging that differing opinions are a natural part of football. Reflecting on England's historical performance, Lineker, who was five during the 1966 World Cup win, shared his personal hope for the team to secure a victory in his lifetime. He believes England has an “outside shot” at winning the tournament, despite acknowledging the challenges ahead. In fullGary Lineker explains why England have ‘outside shot’ at World Cup gloryThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Lineker argues England can win the World Cup because injuries forced rest for Saka and Bellingham, providing squad freshness that typically disadvantages English teams at tournaments. Team capacity management through enforced rest periods—strategically leveraging downtime to maximize performance at critical moments—demonstrates adaptive decision-making applicable to high-stakes competitive environments.
