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Just weeks away from the start of a World Cup like no other, the poor form of Europe’s powerhouses suggests there could be a changing of the guard in Qatar.

European nations have won every World Cup since Brazil lifted the last of their five titles in Japan and South Korea in 2002.
Europe has supplied 13 of the 16 semifinalists at the past four World Cups, with Italy, Spain, Germany and France coming out on top.

But reigning European champions Italy have failed even to qualify for Qatar, while there are doubts over the chances of England, France, Germany and Spain.

England 

England’s six-game winless run is their worst ever heading to a major tournament, with the Three Lions relegated from the top tier of Uefa’s Nations League.

World champions France only avoided the same fate thanks to other results going their way as Les Bleus and Germany won just one of their six Nations League group games.

France 

Spain have progressed to the semifinals of that competition, but were beaten 2-1 at home by Switzerland last week. Adding to the uncertainty is a first-ever mid-season World Cup for European teams, with no time for pre-tournament training camps and friendlies. — AFP