Can England Win Euro 2020?

England are contenders for Euro 2020 so should Gareth Southgate’s squad be one of the tips to win the tournament?

It is akin to a home event because Wembley Stadium will host England’s group matches and their potential round of the last 16 fixture, semi-finals and final.

The match schedule means England will play in another country in the quarter-finals. Euro 2020 (it’s been a strange year!) is being played in 11 cities around Europe. If England keep winning, Rome is the potential venue for their fixture in the last eight.

England’s best tournaments in the World Cup and European Championship finals have been as the hosts.

We will look at their match results in the 1966 World Cup and Euro 96 when all their 11 matches were played at Wembley Stadium.

1966 World Cup

England won Group 1 with wins against France and Mexico and a draw with Uruguay. They then beat Argentina and Portugal and famously Germany in the final after extra time.

Here is a summary of England’s results after 90 minutes:

• Played – 6
• Won – 4
• Drew – 2
• Lost – 0
• Goals For – 9
• Goals Against – 3

Euro 96

England came out on top in Group A by drawing with Switzerland and beating Scotland and Holland. The hosts beat Spain after extra time and penalties in the quarter-finals but lost to Germany after more penalties in the last four.

So here is the same match summary for outcomes at the end of normal time:  

• Played – 5
• Won – 2
• Drew – 3
• Lost – 0
• Goals For – 8
• Goals Against – 3

Over the course of the two tournaments, England had five draws (45.45%) before extra time and penalties.

History suggests England will not win all their matches after 90 minutes at Euro 2020. However, they are worthy favourites in the outright winner betting. Bookmakers see France, Belgium and Germany as the most likely nations to spoil the party.

England’s Euro 2020 Squad

Southgate announces his squad on May 25, on the Tuesday after the end of the Premier League season. UEFA have increased the number of players in each squad to 26.

At the time of writing, there are complications caused by the venue for the final of the Champion League. The issue will affect potential selections from Chelsea and Manchester City.

However, the England squad will be a good mix of players with tournament and Champions League experience and young talent that is just too good to ignore.

There are probably five certain starters and few might disagree that Jordan Pickford, John Stones, Jordan Henderson, Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane should be in the first 11, which leaves six places up for grabs.

England have been drawn in Group D with Scotland, Croatia and Czech Republic. You can see the full Euro 2020 match schedule here.

There are 24 competing nations, playing in six groups. The top teams in each section and the four best third-place finishers qualify for the last 16, which is the first knockout round. There are 51 matches over the course of Euro 2020 from June 11 to July 11.

Other Contenders And The Answer To The Question

The betting suggests France are the most likely winners if England come up short. The world champions will be represented by a similar squad, but their time could have been 2018 in Russia.

Belgium‘s Golden Generation qualify with ease for major tournaments but don’t deliver when it matters most. Germany did not get out of their group at the last World Cup and were relegated for the next Nations League.

So, there are questions marks against the three main dangers. Virtual home advantage and a strong first 11 and good back up means that after 55 years of hurt, football should be coming home thanks to players with three lions on their shirts.

Let’s hope Wembley and the pubs will be packed and hugs are allowed when England win Euro 2020.