Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterAs England put together their final preparations for this summers World Cup, the same nagging question remains.Can the Three Lions overcome the all-encompassing weight of expectation and end 60 years of hurt by going all the way and hoisting up the World Cup trophy on July 19?Not for the first time, England will enter the tournament with a star-packed squad, a world-class manager and as one of the bookies favourites. But for former Three Lions star Joe Cole, the tournament will be defined by what happens during the games most chaotic moments.Joe Cole on what England need to do to win the World CupFourFourTwo's World Cup Wall Chart - BUY HERE!Large A1 Football Wall Chart with Space for Scores and Predictions: Designed for easy viewing and interaction with room to write results and build predictionsView DealCole, who was a part of Englands 2002 and 2006 campaigns, believes that the teams ultimate fate will come down to how the side responds to setbacks.Weve got the players, and weve got a manager who knows how to win things, the former West Ham and Chelsea playmaker tells FourFourTwo. You may like EXCLUSIVE Jordan Pickford says England glory depends on 'whether we can put out the best version of ourselves' Emile Heskey exclusive: How players will switch off from social media at the World Cup England arent the greatest team in the heat, but we got to the semi-finals in Italy in 1990 when it was hot if you let the little things get to you, its all negatives Former England favourites open up on the challenge of the North American climate Its going to come to a point in a game, from maybe the last 16 onwards, where were going to be in a difficult moment and the players are going to have to find something.Cole only needs to look back to the last tournament four years ago to find an example of back up his claim.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.I liken it to the Argentinians in Qatar, when the Dutch pulled the quarter-final back to 2-2. One of their players smashed the ball into the Dutch bench, and it turned into a melee on the touchline.That woke up the Argentinian team and they went on to win. If he hadnt done that, I think the Netherlands knock them out and France win the World Cup.So, by this logic, is the way to get back into a match merely to pelt the ball at the opposition bench? What to read next This group havent had the Golden Generations club success, but theyre putting everything together better Owen Hargreaves on his Thomas Tuchels side can eclipse his teams efforts Jordan Pickford on the 2018 World Cup semi-final: 'We just couldn't get the second goal' We want to be the best, so we have to turn negative moments into improvements. France were reigning champions in 2022 and knew how to succeed Jordan Pickford on the crucial fine margins at a major tournament Theres something youve got to feel, Cole insists. Were so polite, weve gone full circle.The way England play, were so measured, the coachings amazing, all the players are really good students. But when people are saying: Jude Bellingham needs to rein it in, Ill be saying: No, you lead the team.Theres going to be a moment where England are under the cosh to win the World Cup, someone is going to have to take the game by the scruff of the neck.Could It Be Coming Home? with Joe Cole and Ashley Cole is brought to you by Carling, official sponsor of the Emirates FA Cup and Adobe Womens FA Cup. Watch the show on YouTube and Spotify, or listen to it wherever you get your podcastsTOPICSEnglandWorld CupJoe MewisSocial Links NavigationFor more than a decade, Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor. Mewis has had stints at Mirror Football and LeedsLive among others and worked at FourFourTwo throughout Euro 2024, reporting on the tournament. In addition to his journalist work, Mewis is also the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team. Now working as a digital marketing coordinator at Harrogate Town, too, Mewis counts some of his best career moments as being in the iconic Spygate press conference under Marcelo Bielsa and seeing his beloved Leeds lift the Championship trophy during lockdown.With contributions fromChris FlanaganSenior Staff Writer
