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Gareth Southgate: 'England cannot simply write off 2018 World Cup'

Gareth Southgate insists that England "cannot go to a World Cup and not try to win it" ahead of the group stage draw for Russia 2018.

Gareth Southgate has stressed that England "cannot go to a World Cup and not try to win it".

The draw for next summer's tournament in Russia takes place from 3pm on Friday, with the Three Lions in the second pot of seeded teams.

England have suffered disappointment in recent major tournaments, not winning a knockout game since the 2006 World Cup in Germany, but Southgate does not want a defeatist attitude to set in.

"We've got to attempt to win each game, be as prepared as we can be, and see how far we can go," the 47-year-old told BBC Sport.

"Of course, a lot of these players are going to peak in two to four years' time, but we can't just write off the tournament. I don't think anyone in England would accept that. We can't go to a World Cup and not try to win it.

"Our last two tournaments have been a disappointment. We've got to remember where we are starting from with this group of young players. But equally they're fiercely ambitious, everything is ahead of them and it's not for me to put a limit on their expectations."

England were eliminated at the first knockout stage at Euro 2016, Euro 2012 and the 2010 World Cup, failed to progress from the group stage at the 2014 World Cup, and did not reach Euro 2008.

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