England: ‘No escape from furnace and expectation at World Cup 2022’

Southgate’s own future has also been a sub-plot to this World Cup, not that he should be under threat of dismissal or that the Football Association would even consider it barring a catastrophic failure here. He also has the security of a contract until December 2024.

It was Southgate himself who introduced the subject last summer when he stated: “I won’t outstay my welcome.”

This is his third tournament – a figure of significance as it was the tally achieved by predecessors Sven-Goran Eriksson and Roy Hodgson – not that his record should ever be compared to theirs, especially the latter.

If England win the World Cup, what is there left for Southgate to do? If England achieve a par score, say reaching the last eight, but fall short of what they did in 2018, this most sensible and realistic man may just feel his course is run. He would not be short of offers in club management.

So there is much riding on this for Southgate and England – and there will be much focus on his continued loyalty to Manchester United captain Harry Maguire.

Maguire’s main currency is his performances in major tournaments but a lot has happened to the 29-year-old since July 2021 and it has mainly involved his steep decline to the point where he has been largely surplus to replacements at Old Trafford this season.

He has even heard his name jeered by England fans but Southgate is clearly convinced the error-riddled display which contributed to two of Germany’s goals in the 3-3 draw at Wembley in September will be forgotten within the major tournament environment in which Maguire has excelled.

Southgate will stand by Maguire and his players will stand by the manager who has made turning up for England duty a pleasure once more in the last six years – something captain Harry Kane is eager to repay with success in Qatar.

Kane said: “Gareth has been incredible for us as a group of players. The records in the 2018 World Cup and Euros speak for themselves and we always feel we should be judged on major tournaments.

“It’s been a good period for us over the last four years and this is another opportunity to take another step forward.”

Southgate has looked re-energised here after sometimes cutting a jaded figure in England’s Uefa Nations League campaign. He is focused and promises to be more ruthless. Now comes the acid test.

Failure in the Uefa Nations League is quickly forgotten – the same does not apply to the World Cup. Southgate and his players will enter the real heat shack in Doha on Monday afternoon.