On a discouraged morning for the England players, Jude Bellingham sent a final message to the fans before heading for a flight out of Qatar.
“Stay with us,” the 19-year-old told Sky News outside the team hotel at Souq Al Wakra, where a family of supporters gathered on a street by the beach.
There was no big farewell photo outside, with the players leaving separately – some in small groups in taxis, others in the team coach.
Checking a week before the end of the tournaments is now unfamiliar for England.
Their quarter-final exit at the hands of France was agonizing, with Harry Kane missing a penalty after already scoring one in the 2-1 loss to the World Cup holders.
A trip to a third straight tournament semi-final under Gareth Southgate was denied.
Now the manager is considering whether to stay to try to qualify for Euro 2024 after six years in charge.
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The English players leave the hotel
“I want to make the right decision,” Southgate said after the game, but remained silent when he boarded the coach at the hotel.
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham also said nothing before boarding a coach and a written statement did not address Southgate’s future.
“They are a very exciting young English team and, despite the intense disappointment last night, they should be very proud of their performance in Qatar,” he said.
“We are incredibly proud of Gareth, the players, the coaches and the support team and appreciate all the hard work they have put in.”
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England fans are heartbroken after the Three Lions’ 2-1 loss to France and their elimination from the World Cup.
Kane “absolutely gutted”
But it was Kane who said he would take responsibility for the team eliminated from the 2022 World Cup.
In a tweet this morning, the England captain said he was “absolutely gutted”.
“We gave it our all and it comes down to one small detail for which I take responsibility.
“There’s no hiding it, it hurts and it will take time to recover from it, but it’s part of the sport.
“Now it’s about using the experience to be mentally and physically stronger for the next challenge.”
He thanks the fans for their support during the tournament, saying “it means a lot”.
