England boss Gareth Southgate says his side are “regaining respectability on the world stage” as they aim to clinch a place in the knockout stages of the World Cup.
The Three Lions will secure a place in the top two of Group B if they beat the United States on Friday (19:00 GMT).
It would be England’s fourth straight appearance in the knockout stage of a major tournament since exiting in the group stage of the 2014 World Cup.
“It’s a good time for English football,” Southgate said on Thursday.
“At junior level, at senior level, with our women’s team, there are a lot of positive things happening.
“We think we can be competitive for many years and that’s the goal – to have a sustained challenge in the later stages of big competitions and we haven’t done that for years and years.
“These players are putting the country on the map and regaining our respectability on the world stage – we have to keep doing that.”
At the 2014 World Cup, England lost their first two matches and finished last in their group.
Since then, they have made the round of 16 at Euro 2016 and then, under Southgate, reached the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and lost in the final of Euro 2020.
England beat Iran 6-2 on Monday but facing a more difficult task against a United States team ranked 16th in the world and who started with a 1-1 draw against Wales.
“If we win, we qualify and the first objective is to qualify in the group,” added Southgate. “We have three games to do it and if it takes all three we have to be ready for it.
“Have we ever beaten the United States in a major tournament? No, so we have to try to make history. We are good at praising ourselves as a nation without any evidence, we so we have to perform well.
“We are going to play against a highly motivated team and have huge respect for our opponents. We know their players, their quality and their athleticism, so we have to be at our best – I don’t think we will underestimate the United States .”
Southgate was joined at Thursday’s press conference by defender Harry Maguire, who has recently faced criticism but will get his 50th international cap if he plays.
“I have great confidence in myself, I work as hard as I can, I give my all and that gives you good preparation to perform at the best level,” Maguire said.
“As a footballer, nobody likes to be criticized, but that’s part and parcel of the game. I’ve played with Cristiano Ronaldo for the last two years and he’s one of the greatest players to kick a football.
“He gets criticized on a daily basis, so if it’s going to happen to him, it’s going to happen to all of us. You just have to work hard, give your best and that’s all you can do.”
There will be a strong Premier League contingent on the American side, with Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic, Arsenal goalkeeper Matt Turner, Fulham pair Antonee Robinson and Tim Ream as well as Leeds’ Brenden Aaronson and Tyler Adams in the squad.
USA manager Gregg Berhalter said: “I think Gareth has done a great job. His record at major tournaments is outstanding – fourth place in 2018, second place at the Euros.
“They got off to a good start and they’re a tough opponent. It’s going to be tough for us.”
TEAM NEWS
Leicester midfielder James Maddison has not trained this week but captain Harry Kane is fit to play after picking up a minor ankle injury against Iran.
Maguire is also fit after feeling bad in the second half on Sunday, while Kyle Walker could make his first appearance since undergoing groin surgery in early October.
The United States did not report any injury issues.
MATCH FACTS
- This is England’s third meeting with the United States at the World Cup, with the United States winning 1-0 in 1950 before a 1-1 draw in 2010.
- In all competitions, England have won eight of their 11 meetings with the United States (one draw, two lost). Their last defeat against them dates back to June 1993 (0-2), winning four and drawing since one of their meetings.
- Following their 6-2 victory over Iran, England are looking to win their first two World Cup games for the fourth time, also in 1982, 2006 and 2018.
- England completed 716 passes in their 6-2 win over Iran, their highest in a World Cup match since 1966. John Stones was responsible for 116 of those passes completed (16%), also the most by an English player in a world. Cup match since 1966.
