England's World Cup odds plummeted after 2014 debacle as Roy Hodgson and Sam Allardyce exits take their toll
England's chances of winning the 2014 World Cup peaked at 8/1 over the last two years, but their dramatic fall from case has coincided with a drop to 25/1
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.England’s hopes of winning the 2018 World Cup remain as faint as ever despite Gareth Southgate attempting to bring stability to the national team following five forgetable months for the Three Lions.
The chart, produced by bookmakers’ NetBet, shows that the odds of Gareth Southgate’s side, who face Scotland and Spain in this international break, winning the tournament for the first time since 1966 reached a nadir after the abysmal showing in Brazil in 2014.
England won just one point from three matches in a tough group, and their odds of winning the next World Cup plummeted to 25/1 after that early exit.
A strong performance against Lithuania in March 2015 led to shortened odds of 20/1, as England were the only side to win all ten of their matches in the Euro 2016 qualifiers.
A year later, as England were approaching the beginning of Euro 2016 in good form, the side travelled to Germany and beat their hosts 3-2 after a fantastic comeback, helped by Jamie Vardy’s first international goal.
This unexpected victory saw the bookies cutting the odds even further to 16/1, the shortest they had been since the beginning of the 2014 World Cup.
However, yet another thoroughly disappointing campaign in a major tournament ensued, with a 2-1 defeat by minnows Iceland knocking England out of Euro 2016.
Manager Roy Hodgson subsequently left his position and Sam Allardyce was appointed in July 2016 as the bookmakers offered odds of 24/1 for England to be victorious in Russia.
The former Bolton manager was infamously sacked by the FA just 67 days later after being privately filmed boasting about how to bypass FA rules amongst other ill-judged statements.
Gareth Southgate was swiftly installed as caretaker manager for the four matches which culminate against Spain on Tuesday and a 0-0 draw against Slovenia in his second game in charge kept the odds of a successful 2018 World Cup at 22/1.
As England prepare to face off against old rivals Scotland at Wembley this evening, the bookmakers rank the Three Lions as 8th favourites to win in two years’ time at 22/1 as hopes of a first successful major tournament for over 50 years remain faint.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments