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History has it, the Three Lions are a group of highly talented individuals dotted with stellar names of the Premier League. But when it comes to competing together as a team, they've always flattered to deceive. Look no further than the England team that were knocked out by Iceland at the Euro 2016.
And even if manager Gareth Southgate has overseen scores of favourable results since taking over in the aftermath of the disastrous sojourn in France, Russia 2018 would be a true test of their mettle.
Now given the riches of talent on show, not everyone would be taking the flight to Moscow to partake in the quest. There are few who see a slim chance of making the cut to Southgate's 23-man squad for the showpiece. Let's look at the top 5 of them.
#5 Luke Shaw
The Manchester United fullback has seen his stars plummet dramatically following a breakdown of his relationship with manager Jose Mourinho.
With only 7 appearances in the league this term, Shaw hasn't been afforded proper time to grace the field and this has come back to bite him in the international landscape.
The 22-year old hasn't been called by Southgate for the friendlies to Italy and Netherlands and stares at a real possibility of missing the flight to Russia now that even Leighton Baines has marked a successful return from injury and is a viable option at the left-back.
While there are whispers of Shaw's Manchester United career coming to an end this campaign, especially after the Portuguese gaffer harshly lambasted him following the FA Cup win last week, he might as well kiss hopes of making it to the England squad goodbye.
#4 Daniel Sturridge
Even more bout of injuries have curtailed his chances this season which has seen Daniel Sturridge make only three appearances for West Brom, where he's currently on loan.
And while it was a miracle that he made it to England's Euro 2016 squad despite missing a majority of the games through injury, he may not enjoy the same fate this time around.
The 28-year old was once again in the treatment room for large spells while his team fought it out in the qualifiers and made only a solitary appearance in the English colours last year.
Make no mistake, Sturridge is an excellent forward and would walk into this team anytime. But his recurring injuries coupled with a poor form on the field has weighed heavily on his chances with the Three Lions and may have to sit out of the World Cup squad this time.
#3 Danny Welbeck
Another marquee forward who might bite the dust, Danny Welbeck is drinking in the last chance saloon after Southgate made it clear that he's filling in only for the injured Harry Kane.
That means his inclusion isn't by merit and the Arsenal targetman must perform in the upcoming games if he were to stand a chance.
The arrival of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has only made life tougher for Welbeck, who now sits third in Arsene Wenger's pecking order, while his return of only three goals in the league this season does no good to his cause.
He should consider himself fortunate for this call-up, although Harry Kane's timely return and the failure to deliver in these friendlies should really sound the death knell.
#2 Joe Hart
A poor spell in Torino coupled with a miserable return to the Premier League in West Ham colours has seen his stature in the England squad take a massive beating.
He was dropped from the previous 15 games by the Hammers before returning against Burnley on 10 March, but his chances of making it to the World Cup now dangles by a thread.
Joe Hart has been the Three Lions' no.1 choice in goal since 2010, guarding in the net in every major tournament since then. But those days look a distant memory and the likes of Jordan Pickford, Jack Butland and debutant Nick Pope look set to take over the mantle from him.
The 30-year old has although been called up by Southgate for the friendlies, his chances of coming on to the field look less likely. And making it to the World Cup squad, even less so.
#1 Chris Smalling
Unlike Harry Kane, he isn't injured, and unlike Luke Shaw, he isn't grappling with limited game time. Yet, the fact that Chris Smalling has been overlooked by Gareth Southgate is a clear indication that the Manchester United star isn't in the manager's plans for the main event.
The centre-back continues to go strong with another good season with the Red Devils but isn't supposedly good enough of playing out from the back the way the England head-coach would like him to.
That has, in turn, opened the door for James Tarkowski, the latest sensation from Burnley who Southgate trusts and stands a real chance of flying to Russia with the rest of the team.
Chris Smalling may mark a return to the team eventually, but that certainly wouldn't be until England return from their World Cup excursion.
