The long wait for England to become World Cup winners goes on - but Gareth Southgate and his squad will begin the latest attempt to conquer the globe on Thursday.

An arduous qualification campaign for the 2022 finals in Qatar starts with what should be the most routine three points of all, with a home match against San Marino, who have never won a competitive match in their international history.

England vs San Marino LIVE: World Cup qualifier latest score, goals and updates

While England did qualify in relative comfort for the upcoming European Championships, their Nations League performances left plenty to be desired at times and Gareth Southgate will be hoping for an improvement.

Speed of play and attacking movement will be key to England breaking down an opponent which will no doubt be intent on packing the defence - but across the 90 minutes it should prove little more than a goal-fest for the Three Lions.

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Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the game.

When is the match?

The game kicks off at 7:45pm on Thursday 25 March.

Where can I watch it?

The match will be televised live on ITV from 7:15pm.

What is the team news?

Gareth Southgate is likely to give game time to younger fringe players in this match, such as Jude Bellingham and Ollie Watkins, the latter of which will be hoping to earn his first start for the national side.

England’s attack is looking depleted following injuries to Jack Grealish, Jadon Sancho, Tammy Abraham, Harvey Barnes and Danny Ings, but that should not be a problem for England in this match.

Nick Pope will also be filling in for Jordan Pickford in goal, while Luke Shaw’s recent impressive performances for Manchester United should see him start on the left-hand side of defence.

San Marino will simply hope to keep the score down and play their most experienced players. Elia Benedettini will probably start in goal, while Nicola Nanni is likely to lead the line. Only two players in the squad have ever scored at international level, Mirko Palazzi and Filippo Berardi netting once apiece.

Predicted line ups

England: Pope, James, Stones, Coady, Shaw, Ward-Prowse, Phillips, Bellingham, Lingard, Calvert-Lewin, Mount

San Marino: E. Benedettini, Battistini, Brolli, Simoncini, Palazzi, Gasperoni, Golinucci, Tomassini, Berardi, Vitaoli, Nanni.

Odds

England – 1/250

Draw – 50/1

San Marino – 100/1

Prediction

England will certainly ease to a victory here, but Southgate will be looking at how the younger players will adapt to international play. He could also use his full number of substitutions. The Three Lions will be in control of the match, and are likely to be up two or three goals by half time.

England’s only problem will be to avoid injury, and will probably treat this game as more of a training match with a slow pace. England 7-0 San Marino.

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