Host nation: Qatar Dates: 20 November-18 December Coverage: Live on BBC TV, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website and app. Day-by-day TV listings - Full coverage details |
The World Cup has tested Harry's character as well as his ability, and he has shown everyone he has both.
Before the tournament, I was worried about his struggles at Manchester United because his form doesn't change just because he wears a different shirt.
He hadn't played much for United this season and when he did come into the team he looked nervous and a long way off the level we are used to seeing him play at for England.
He had not been at his best for several months and the amount of criticism he was getting was way over the top.
I had doubts about whether he should be playing for England in the World Cup, but they were allayed immediately.
The first game was crucial. This could have turned into a very different tournament for him if he had been shaky there.
He made a positive start, got on the ball and got some belief back, and he has continued to build his confidence every game since then.
He was our best player against the United States when he showed what an excellent defender he is when the ball comes into our box.
The way England are set up is one of the reasons that Maguire chooses to play for his country than for his club.
A system that plays to each person's strengths and protects their weaknesses is used by the England coach.
He is much higher up the pitch when he plays for United than he is when he is in a team that defends deep with a low block.
When the team is in possession, ten Hag wants his centre-halves to be 10 yards inside the opposition half, which leaves a huge gap between the two goalkeepers.
It doesn't happen with England because he has more team-mates around him and less space behind him where his lack of pace can be seen.
The other part of his game has never been in question because of all of this. He knows how to bring the ball out of defence, which is crucial to the way the team plays.
It's important that John Stones is with him as well. They have played together in a two or three at the back in a variety of situations, including the past two major tournaments
They have played together 31 times for England in the past five years and lost only three times, so that trust is there, and you can see it.
The way he has started the World Cup has made him forget about his problems at United.
It was up to him to get his head right in order to prove the doubters wrong, but he wouldn't have done it if he hadn't stuck with him.
The manager's part in this was to make him feel valued and wanted, which has helped him get into the team.
It's a problem if the manager doesn't think you're ready.
One of the main strengths of Southgate is that kind of man management. All his players are allowed to flourish because of his happy environment.
Some players in the England squad would make excuses over injuries to avoid being called up.
It isn't the same now. Looking from the outside, they all want to be there and they all feel a part of it because they enjoy it.
I like the fact that they all look like friends, which was not the case in the past.
There are other England players who have come through difficult times.
His United team-mate Marcus Rashford has been on a similar journey where he seemed to lose some of his confidence, with the difference being he has been playing so well in the premier league this season. He is doing the same thing.
I'm happy to see him flying again, maybe he just needed to refocus to get back on track
Getting a proper pre-season last summer was a big deal for him. I said after the Wales game that MarcusRashford is a devastating player and he looks fresh. He is all of these things right now.
He is not receiving the ball and playing it backwards when he runs after it. He is going to test his opponent by facing him up.
After one start, he has 3 goals. He took us to a different level against Wales and it's going to be hard to drop him for the next game.
It was Harry Kane who got most of the goals four years ago. I am getting the same vibes about our chances as the England team is doing differently.
I like the fact that when we have made changes, we have not looked weak at all. I can't wait to find out what's going to happen next.
Rio Ferdinand was talking to a friend in the Middle East.
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