Can England qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar?

England’s 4-0 win over Andorra maintained the team’s 100 per cent record in World Cup qualifying Group I but what more will it take to confirm their place at next year’s tournament in Qatar?

Gareth Southgate’s side is currently five points clear at the top of the table at the halfway stage having won all five of their matches.

Got the job done. Another step closer to the World Cup 💪🦁🦁🦁 pic.twitter.com/fZ2qKAqgpX

— Harry Kane (@HKane) September 5, 2021

The trip to play with Poland on Wednesday evening could hasten qualification because Robert Lewandowski and the rest are England’s closest rivals in Group I as it stands.

Four Reds featured in 2022 World Cup qualifying fixtures on Sunday.

Here's how they got on 👇

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 6, 2021

World Cup Qualifying – Group I

Team	Games played	Points
England	5	15
Poland	5	10
Albania	5	9
Hungary	5	7
Andorra	5	3
San Marino	5	0

Victory in Warsaw would extend England advantage over Poland to eight points and – assuming Albania were to win at home to San Marino – mean a 6-point lead at the top.

With 4 games to go, England’s could then assure their place at the World Cup 2022 with wins away to Andorra and at home to Hungary next month if Poland take points of Albania.

Two goals. One assist. 🔥

Enjoy that one, @JesseLingard? pic.twitter.com/QD4qg8PkBX

— England (@England) September 5, 2021

However, with only the top spot guaranteeing qualification, there is still little margin for errors – particularly given that reaching the world cup 2022 Qatar with a second-place finish is not straightforward.

The ten runners-up from the group stage will join 2 group winners from last season’s Nations League in a mini-tournament in March that will see only 3 more teams qualify.

England could still find themselves involved in that if things begin to unravel during the 2nd half of the campaign. Poland could yet cut their lead to just 2 points on Wednesday.

But with the potential tricky trips to Hungary and also Albania already out of the way, that looks to be the toughest test remaining.

Dreams of World Cup 2022 in Qatar glory could soon begin.

A birthday celebration… 🥳

2️⃣0️⃣ today! pic.twitter.com/KsADyrpfXk

— England (@England) September 5, 2021

England’s remaining fixtures

Sep 8 – Poland (a)

Oct 9 – Andorra (a)

Oct 12 – Hungary (h)

Nov 12 – Albania (h)

Nov 15 – San Marino (a)