when was the last time england did not qualify for world cup
England at the FIFA World Cup England did not enter the competition until 1950, but have entered all eighteen subsequent tournaments.[a] They have failed to qualify for the finals on three occasions, 1974 (West Germany), 1978 (Argentina) and 1994 (United States), and have failed to advance from the group stages on three occasions; at the 1950 FIFA World Cup, the 1958 FIFA World Cup and the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Their best ever performance is winning the Cup in the 1966 tournament held in England, whilst they also finished in fourth place in 1990, in Italy, and in 2018 in Russia. Other than that, the team have reached the quarter-finals on nine occasions, the latest of which were at the 2002 (South Korea/Japan) and the 2006 (Germany).[b]
History of the England national football team On 5 September 2015, England beat San Marino 6–0 at San Marino Stadium, Serravalle, to become the first team to qualify for Euro 2016.[27] Victories against Switzerland and Estonia at home – the former match saw Wayne Rooney break the record for the all-time leading England goalscorer – and away in Lithuania helped England achieve their first 100% qualifying campaign record for a major tournament.
England at the FIFA World Cup England played against Sweden in their quarter-final at Cosmos Arena, Samara on 7 July 2018.[57] They won the match 2–0, with defender Harry Maguire scoring his first England goal, a header scored from a corner, and Dele Alli a second header from close range. This would send them through to their third World Cup semi-final and their first since 1990, and third overall.[60] The team played Croatia in the semi-final, resulting in a 2–1 loss after extra time.[61] England would later finish fourth in the competition, the best result since 1990. England would lose again to Belgium in the 3rd place playoff, thanks to goals from Thomas Meunier and Eden Hazard, despite a Eric Dier shot being cleared off the line by Toby Alderweireld.[62]
England at the FIFA World Cup England played against Sweden in their quarter-final at Cosmos Arena, Samara on 7 July 2018.[58] They won the match 2–0, with defender Harry Maguire scoring his first England goal, a header scored from a corner, and Dele Alli a second header from close range. This would send them through to their third World Cup semi-final and their first since 1990, and third overall.[61] The team played Croatia in the semi-final, resulting in a 2–1 loss after extra time.[62] England would later finish fourth in the competition, the best result since 1990. England would lose again to Belgium in the 3rd place playoff, thanks to goals from Thomas Meunier and Eden Hazard, despite an Eric Dier shot being cleared off the line by Toby Alderweireld.[63]