World Cup

Gareth Southgate: 'England cannot write teams off'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 01 December 2017

Gareth Southgate says that he is looking forward to taking on Tunisia at next summer's World Cup, while also remaining cautious about the threat of Panama.

England boss Gareth Southgate has warned his players to be wary of unknown opponents Tunisia and Panama at next summer's World Cup finals.

The Three Lions have been placed in a group with the African and Central American nations, along with top seeds Belgium.

Southgate has faced Tunisia before in the tournament during his playing days, helping his side to a 2-0 group-stage win in France nearly two decades ago, but he admits that more research is required on two of England's opponents.

"Remembering the Tunisia game in 1998, it was the first thing that went through my mind," he told BBC Sport. "It was a fantastic day and it's nice to be able to relive that.

"We haven't done as much preparing on the African teams yet so now that's what we can focus in on."

Asked about Panama, he added: "We've been good at writing teams off and then getting beat. We've got to be prepared for every game."

England face Tunisia in their first Group G match, before locking horns with Panama six days later and Belgium in Kaliningrad to round things off.