THE FA now wants England to WIN a major tournament by 2024.
Nearly a decade after former Wembley chairman Greg Dyke set the 2022 World Cup as the prime target for the Three Lions, the latest official aims of the governing body show a slippage in that timeframe.
England men’s manager Gareth Southgate has two Euros and a World Cup within the timeframe the FA want to see a major tournament wonCredit: EPA
Current Holland women’s boss Sarina Wiegman will succeed Phil Neville in charge of the Lionesses from September this year Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Instead, the FA believes England should be seeking to win a major tournament, by either the men’s or women’s teams, over the next THREE seasons.
That period includes two European Championships and a World Cup for the men’s team, and the delayed Euros and 2023 World Cup for the Lionesses.
The targets are included in the FA’s “Game Changer” strategy objectives.
Explaining the targets, the FA said: “International tournament success will be transformational for English football and inspirational for millions of boys and girls.
“To achieve our ambition by 2024, we’ll strive to deliver the best possible international team operations, coaching and development environment at St. George’s Park.
“We will continue to work with our partners in the game to enhance a talent pathway that gives players the best development opportunities, and foster an inclusive and empowering culture among winning England teams.”
The other aspirations set by the FA include establishing a new digital platform for the grassroots game and ensuring equal opportunities for girls.
A target of 5,000 “good quality” artificial and natural pitches is also in the list, along with a discrimination-free sport and plans to maximise the appeal and revenue of the FA Cup and Women’s Super League.
But the FA recognises that the Covid-19 pandemic has altered the landscape, on top of evolving situations that remain critical.
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It added: “The future structure of the professional club game, both domestically and internationally, is in flux.
“The linear broadcast market is widely expected to have peaked and the technology that underpins the administration of the game in England is creaking and needs replacing.
“The ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement prompted us to self-reflect and acknowledge, like many other institutions in society, that we can do even more to tackle discrimination.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk