The Three Lions go into this World Cup with seemingly less pressure than is usually associated with the English national team. However that does not mean this team goes without expectation. This is a young team with players that a country expects big careers from, and the World Cup is always a career definer. England fans see players like Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford as potentially world class and the pressure would especially be on these players to perform despite their age. Harry Kane for one is more than just a young player playing in his very first World Cup. He is a two time Premier League Golden Boot winner who has proved his doubters wrong time and time again. The World Cup is another opportunity for him to do just that. 

The influx of the world's best managers to England has seen the Premier League become competitive in Europe again, which can only bode well for the English players involved. Jordan Henderson has been solid in Liverpool's run all the way to Champion's League final and he will look to bring some of that form to the World Cup. Players like Kyle Walker and Raheem Sterling have admittedly improved under the guidance of the legendary Pep Guardiola and should be two of the first names on Southgate's team sheet. Sterling in particular had an outstanding season, his 23 goals and 17 assists is clear evidence of his attacking threat. At just 23 years old and going into his second World Cup, Sterling can emerge as one of the future leaders for England by tournament's end. All in all the future is bright for this team, England are the current U17 and U20 World Champions and the players coming are unlike anything ever seen for English football. The team in Russia however is not quite there yet but with less pressure and some youthful zeal England may be a real dark horse. 

Head Coach: Bert van Marwijk

Population: 25 million

Appearances:5

Best: Round of 16(2006)

How they Qualified: The Australians 2-1 loss to the Japanese in Saitama, Japan was their only one in the entire third round of Asian qualifying. However, it was Australia's failure to win games that proved their downfall. Four straight draws in the middle of qualifying was the difference between automatically qualifying and having to go through the play-off route. In the AFC playoffs, they played a tough Syrian team who were trying to qualify for their first World Cup. Tim Cahill as he has done so often in his career score a double including an extra time winner to settle the tie. Their next hurdle was against an unpredictable Honduras team from the CONCACAF region. The team defended well in their away tie in Central America and came back to Australia with a favourable 0-0 scoreline. A Mile Jedinak hattrick in front of a packed Stadium Australia was enough to send the Socceroos to Russia 2018. 

Star Players: Mathew Leckie(Hertha Berlin), Aaron Mooy(Huddersfield)

Mile Jedinak (Aston Villa), Mat Ryan(Brighton FC)

Tim Cahil(Millwall)

Wildcard: Tom Rogic- Has a knack for scoring in the very biggest of games. His Old Firm record in Scotland's biggest game is well established. There are no bigger games than that of a World Cup,  and Australia could you with his fight as the team seek to progress out of the group. 

Legend: Harry Kewell