England’s World Cup squad heard a rousing speech from Prince William and received encouragement from a large group of young fans as they departed for Qatar.
Gareth Southgate’s side left the national team training ground at St George’s Park this morning and headed out onto the team coach, where a huge group of supporters were waiting to cheer them on.
They headed from their Staffordshire base to Birmingham Airport, where they stepped onto their flight to Doha.
Addressing the players, Prince William said: ‘What you and Gareth have built here is something special, that’s clear to see.
‘Play for each other, support each other, enjoy it, and I’m sure you’ll go far.’
‘I’m really here to point out the rest of the country is behind you, we’re all rooting for you. Enjoy it.’
The England squad looked in good spirits as they boarded the coach and prepared to fly to Qatar ahead of their World Cup opener against Iran in six days time.
Manager Gareth Southgate delighted the excited young crowds as he walked past holding a coffee.
England will arrive in Doha on a Gay Pride jet – a ‘Rain Bow’ Virgin Atlantic A350 Airbus – in a show of defiance over the host nation amid concerns over the treatment of LGBTQ+ people at the tournament.
James Maddison boards the England team plane as the Three Lions jetted off to Qatar for the World Cup on Tuesday morning
England manager Gareth Southgate was all smiles as he boarded the flight from Birmingham Airport to Qatari capital Doha
Declan Rice, the England midfielder, looked in a happy mood as he headed off to the World Cup with his team-mates
Chelsea star Mason Mount climbs the steps to England’s Virgin Atlantic flight to the Middle-East ahead of the World Cup
England players pictured at Birmingham Airport on Tuesday morning as they board their flight to Qatar and the World Cup
The England players, dressed in blue tracksuits, step onto their plane to Doha at a soggy Birmingham Airport on Tuesday
England defender Harry Maguire (left) shared an Instagram snap from the plane alongside goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, while John Stones was seated next to Manchester City team-mate Kyle Walker on the flight (right)
England’s Virgin Atlantic jet takes off at Birmingham Airport as the players and staff make their way to Qatar
The England team left St George’s Park on Tuesday morning bound for the World Cup in Qatar after a send-off by young fans
Even heavy rain couldn’t dampen spirits as the England party headed to the airport for their flight to Qatar on Tuesday
Prince Williams offered words of encouragement to Harry Kane (right) and the England players as they departed for Qatar
England captain Harry Kane spoke before the squad departed for their flight to Qatar on Tuesday morning
A group of young England fans were waiting to give the Three Lions an emotional send-off outside St George’s Park
England’s plane to Qatar, called the ‘Rain Bow’ awaits them at Birmingham Airport on Tuesday ahead of their flight to Qatar
The aircraft features a picture of Oscar, a cartoon man holding a Union Jack flag while wearing rainbow-coloured trainers, beneath the cabin
Speaking before they departed, England captain Harry Kane said: ‘I’m excited. The World Cup is a special occasion. Obviously we’re flying out today. So I’m really excited.
‘For most professional players, its the biggest tournament you can play in. I’ve been lucky enough to do one and it was one of the greatest experiences of my life. And I can’t wait to get out this weather and get some sun!’
After the players boarded the two coaches, they set off for the airport as the eager fans waved their flags and chanted ‘England! England! England!’.
Kalvin Phillips boards the team coach at St George’s Park ahead of their trip to the World Cup, cheered on by flag-waving fans
The England players modelled their official Marks & Spencer team gear as they got together for the first time
Newcastle striker Callum Wilson also spoke before leaving and reflected on his inclusion in the World Cup squad.
He said: ‘Over the moon. You work hard as a football player to try and get opportunities like this and it’s one that you grasp with both hands.
‘Life’s all about timing. I’ve had three years away. The pinnacle of my career was scoring on my debut for England. It’s a moment I want to add to. Going to a World Cup, there’s great opportunities to go and make history.’
England open their campaign against Iran on Monday before further group stage matches against the United States on November 25 and Wales on November 29.
FA chiefs proposed the idea of the Gay Pride plane to highlight concerns over gay rights in Qatar, where same-sex relationships remain a criminal offence and whose World Cup Ambassador last week said homosexuality is ‘damage in the mind’.
Prince William pictured with the England players heading out to the World Cup at St George’s Park on Monday
The Prince of Wales chats to Manchester City star Jack Grealish during the pre-World Cup departure royal visit on Monday
Prince William presented signed England shirts to the players, including West Ham’s Declan Rice, on Monday
Anyone found participating in same-sex sexual activity in Qatar can be punished by up to seven years in prison, while there are also concerns about thousands of migrant workers having died in Qatar since it won the rights to host the World Cup.
FIFA has urged countries to focus on football during the competition, but Southgate has said it is ‘highly unlikely’ that England will do so.
He said: ‘We’re very strong on inclusivity. We understand the challenges that this tournament brings . . . the human rights challenges.
‘We’ve always spoken about issues we think should be talked about, particularly ones we feel we can affect.’
In an emotionally-charged speech on the eve of their World Cup departure, Southgate urged his players to write their own history.
England manager Gareth Southgate smiles as the players model Marks and Spencer clothing in a photoshoot on Monday
The Three Lions boss addressed his players and staff, urging them to seize the opportunity to win the country’s first World Cup since 1966.
Despite a poor UEFA Nations League campaign this year, England head to Qatar as one of the tournament favourites having reached the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and also the final of last year’s European Championship.
And Southgate genuinely believes England have a chance of winning the World Cup for the second time and urged the current crop to become the best in history.
Players spent much of Monday undertaking promotional work with kit suppliers Nike while squad members underwent light recovery sessions on ahead of their departure for Doha at 10am on Tuesday.
England will use the training facilities at Al Wakrah Sports Complex during the World Cup
They are scheduled to arrive at approximately 5pm local time in Qatar after which they will complete a light training session before serious preparations for the opening game against Iran get underway at their Al Wakrah training facility on Wednesday.
The FA also organised for a mystery guest to attend Monday’s festivities at St George’s Park, as Southgate looked to tap into his players psychologically.
During the Euros, singer Ed Sheeran visited England’s training centre to perform a special set for the players.
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