SAND OF HOPE & GLORY
Harry Kane leads England stars as Three Lions land in Qatar bidding to win World Cup for first time in 56 years
SKIPPER Harry Kane led England stars off the plane as the Three Lions arrived in Qatar this afternoon.
Gareth Southgate's men have touched down in the Middle East tasked with ending 56 years of hurt - having come so close to winning Euro 2020 last year.
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Some England stars were in Premier League action as recently as Sunday, before linking up at the national training base at St George's Park yesterday.
They were paid a visit by Prince William during their brief stay - as Wills wished the squad luck ahead of their flight to Qatar this morning.
Earlier today Southgate and Co were given an incredible send-off as they departed St George's Park.
The England manager was greeted by a sea of screaming kids waving flags and cheering him on.
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Many reached out to Southgate and he began high-fiving the children, leaving them ecstatic by doing so.
With the crowd stretched out so far he had to wave to the others before boarding the coach to the airport.
Their flight, scheduled for 10am, eventually departed Birmingham Airport at 10:41 this morning - landing at 4:57pm UK time.
England flew out to Qatar aboard “Rain Bow”, a Virgin Atlantic A350 Airbus that promotes Gay Pride.
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It features a motif of Oscar — the airline's LGBTQ+ Union Jack-trailing flying icon — beneath the cabin.
The gesture was proposed by FA chiefs keen to register concern about gay rights in the strict Muslim state where homosexuality can still carry the death penalty.
England are set to get their tournament underway against Iran next Monday.
They will then face the USA on Friday, 25 November - before completing Group B with a home nations clash against Wales on Tuesday, 29 November.
England are staying at the Souq Al Wakra Hotel in Qatar, with the Three Lions having booked all 101 rooms.
Three Lions Wags are set to stay on a cruise ship, with Jack Grealish's girlfriend Sasha Attwood among those booked on "HMS Wag".
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