England fans believe it is coming home this time! And why shouldn't they? From having one of the best strikers in the world to lead their line, to a masterfully balanced midfield packed with generational playmakers, and a fiercely disciplined, rock-solid backline, they have all the ingredients needed to script history in the Americas!
ALSO READ | England World Cup squad announcement: Making sense of Tuchel's selections
England’s football talent kitty is so abundant that gaffer Thomas Tuchel’s main headache was deciding whom to omit. Cole Palmer, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Phil Foden, and Adam Wharton were all among the casualties as Thomas Tuchel bared his teeth in his final squad selection, sending a clear message to fans demanding nothing less than World Cup glory: form and chemistry count over fame and reputation.
England open their Group L campaign against Croatia on June 17. Ghana and Panama are the other two teams in the group, and the gaffer has made it clear that sentimentality won't take England to their first trophy since 1966.
That takes us to the puzzle below. Here is a game for ardent England fans, as the images of five unforgettable individuals from the country's incredible World Cup history have been scrambled. The timer will be ticking away as you try to resolve them—starting from the easiest to the hardest. Good luck!
(ENTER FULLSCREEN MODE FOR BETTER EXPERIENCE)
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ANSWERS/The scrambled icons:
* David Beckham: The former captain is known for his incredible set-pieces—particularly bending free-kicks. Beckham played for the England national team from 1996 to 2009, making 115 appearances. He captained England in 59 matches and represented the country at three FIFA World Cups: 1998, 2002, and 2006.
* Bobby Moore: The iconic captain led his side to ultimate glory at Wembley Stadium in London on July 30, 1966, where England defeated West Germany 4–2 after extra time. Moore played for England from 1962 to 1973, earning 108 caps. He captained the team in 90 matches, a long-standing national record.
* Frank Lampard: The Chelsea legend is considered one of the finest midfielders of his generation. Lampard played for England from 1999 to 2014, earning 106 caps and scoring 29 goals, making him one of the country’s highest-scoring midfielders. He represented England at three FIFA World Cups and three European Championships.
* Gary Lineker: The gifted striker played for England from 1984 to 1992, earning 80 caps and scoring 48 goals. He represented England at two FIFA World Cups (1986 and 1990) and remains England’s top scorer in World Cup history with 10 goals.
* Sir Alf Ramsey: The legendary manager led the England national team to victory in the 1966 World Cup. Ramsey managed the England team for 11 years, from 1963 to 1974.
