England's 2022 World Cup XI was predicted in 2013 - it looks so bad now

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·2 November 2022

England's 2022 World Cup XI was predicted in 2013 - it looks so bad now

The 2022 World Cup of Qatar is now finally upon us.

Anticipation is about to reach fever pitch as England football embark on their latest quest to secure the game’s most prestigious prize.

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The Three Lions have a favorable group – despite what the official rankings may say – in which they can expect to face Iran, United States and Wales.

So, fans should be confident of securing passage to the knockout phase of the competition without too many complications – although please remember, this is England we’re talking about.

But if you happen to be Simon Rice, the journalist who worked for the Independant in 2013 and made the bold prediction that England will emerge victorious at the World Cup in 2022, you would be pretty content with the group stage draw.

Rice also predicted the starting XI for the tournament and therefore the 11 players that he believed would lead England to glory in Qatar.

However, to put it plainly, that element of Rice’s prediction has aged absolutely horrendously.

Nine years on, we’ve decided to revisit the XI that he picked all that time go.

England’s predicted XI for 2022 – nine years on

GK: Jack Butland

Back in 2013, Butland was touted as being one of the world’s finest goalkeeping talents.

However, with the passing of time the former Stoke man’s potential has diminished and there can be no argument that he’s flattered to deceive in his career.

Nowadays, Butland is Crystal Palace’s back-up stopper and has appeared nine times for England.

RB: Chris Smalling

The way England’s right-back options are falling by the wayside right now, Southgate might end up with Smalling in there after all…

Not that he’s played the role since, well, since probably 2013, to be fair.

Smalling is excelling at Italian outfit Roma as a centre-back.

CB: Phil Jones

Jones is still at Manchester United but very rarely features for the club after enduring an injury ravaged few seasons.

CB: Nathaniel Chalobah

No, we aren’t talking about the Chelsea star Trevor Chalobah, but his older brother, who plays for Fulham.

Nathaniel is a one-cap wonder for the Three Lions having appeared against Spain in 2018.

LB: Luke Shaw

Finally, a prediction that might just come true. Shaw is a banker for the plane, whether he will start over Ben Chilwell, though, remains to be seen.

RM: Jordan Ibe

Ibe showed plenty of promise at Liverpool as a youngster, but since then has played at a lower level for Wycombe Wanderers, Derby County and Bournemouth.

He joined Turkish side Adanaspor, a second-tier team, in 2021. Although is now without a club.

CM: Ross Barkley

Barkley won’t be on the plane to Qatar, barring a small miracle for the 28-year-old.

He’s appeared six times for Nice in Ligue 1 this season, failing to score or assist in any.

CM: Jack Wilshere

Including Wilshere was an understandable move given he was once regarded as the future of England’s midfield.

“There’s no doubt, Jack Wilshere will be leading the team.” Rice wrote about the star.

Little did Rice know that Wilshere would have hung up his boots the summer prior as a mere 30-year-old.

LM: Wilfried Zaha

Zaha might well have been in with a shout for the squad this tournament had he not changed his allegiances to the Ivory Coast in 2017.

He appeared just twice for England between 2012-2013.

ST: Chuba Akpom:

Akpom was in Arsenal’s youth set-up at the time and was yet to even feature for the Gunners when Rice made this particular prediction.

Nowadays, Akpom plays for Middlesborough and has been in decent goalscoring form this campaign.

ST: Daniel Sturridge

Sturridge is another star now without a club; however, the 33-year-old was once an elite Premier League striker when in his Liverpool days.

He last played for Perth Glory in Australia.

View the full team and manager below:

https://i.redd.it/f51kns6serm71.jpg

Manager: Gary Neville

Even the manager prediction has aged like old milk. Neville vowed never to manage a club ever again after his harrowing spell at the helm of Valencia in 2015/16.