Switzerland 

Switzerland were chosen as hosts for the 1954 world cup. The tournament was won by West-Germany, who defeated Hungary 3-2 in the final for their first world cup win. The group stage went better for the England national football team. After a 4-4 draw with Belgium, the side beat hosts Switzerland to top the group. This was as good as it got for the team. The quarter-final saw them play reigning champions Uruguay. They lost the game 4-2 and were once again on the plane home.

Sweden

In 1958 the world cup was once again held in Europe. Sweden were the hosts, and the tournament was won for the first time by Brazil. This remains the only time a non-European nation has won the competition when it has been staged in Europe. If the England national football team were hoping to improve on their performance in 1954, things didn’t go to plan. Three draws left the team in a play-off to progress from the group. A 1-0 loss to the Soviet Union crashed them out of the competition.

Chile

Chile hosted the world cup in 1962. Reigning champions Brazil reclaimed the trophy after beating Czechoslovakia in the final. The England national football team were faced with a tough group, but managed to progress in second place. Although they lost their first game to Hungary, a win against Argentina and a draw with Bulgaria were enough to put them into the quarter-final. Second place in the group however, saw them play the unstoppable Brazil. A 3-1 loss saw them exit at the quarter final stage for the second time.

England

The England national football team were the hosts of the world cup in 1966. The side went into the tournament having never made the semi-finals, let alone the final. Despite this the team went all the way to beat West-Germany in the final. This is the only time England have won the world cup. After opening the competition with a draw, two wins saw the side top the group and progress into the quarter final. A late goal against Argentina put England into the semi-final. A close game against Portugal, in which England held out against a late fightback to win 2-1, saw them through to the world cup final. In a game remembered for a Geoff Hurst hat-trick, the only hat-trick in a world cup final, and a controversial goal awarded by the linesman, England came through to win 4-2.

Mexico

The 1970 world cup was held in Mexico. It was the first time the tournament had been held in North America. It was also the first time the competition had been outside of Europe and South America. The world cup was won by Brazil who defeated Italy 4-1 in the final. As reigning champions the England national football team lost to Brazil in the group stage. Despite this two wins against Romania and Czechoslovakia put the side through in second place. The quarter-final saw a repeat of the 1966 world cup final. In another close game it was West Germany who got their revenge, winning out 3-2 after extra time.

Spain

It was 12 years until the England national football team made it back to the world cup. Held in Spain, the tournament was eventually won by Italy. Three wins from three group games saw England return with a bang. This included wins against France, Czechoslovakia and Kuwait. The format in this world cup included a second group stage. Two draws saw England’s momentum stalled, missing out on progression to old rivals West Germany.

Mexico

Mexico were again the hosts of the world cup in 1986. The tournament was won by Argentina who became champions for the second time after beating West Germany. Despite losing in their first game, the England national football team managed to progress in second place after a draw and a win against Morocco and Poland. With the tournament back in a knock-out format, and now featuring 24 teams, England went into a last 16 game against Paraguay. A comfortable 3-0 win put them into the quarter-final against Argentina. In what was a memorable fixture Maradona scored the infamous ‘Hand of God‘. After a poor back-pass the forward jumped above Peter Shilton to punch the ball into the goal. Soon after he then scored one of the greatest goals in world cup history. He dribbled past five players and rounded the goalkeeper to score. It was a goal which has gone on to be recognised as ‘The Goal of the Century.’ Argentina won the game 2-1, and the England national football team exited the tournament.

Italy

In 1990 the world cup was hosted by Italy. West Germany won the competition after beating Argentina in the final. After two draws from their opening two games, it was a slow start for the England national football team. A win against Egypt in the final group game however saw England finish top. After a narrow extra time victory over Belgium in the last 16, the team went on to beat Cameroon 3-2 in the quarter-final, again in extra time. It was once again West Germany who ended England’s tournament. After a 1-1 draw in Turin, the teams could not be separated. A 4-3 penalty defeat sent the side into the third placed play-off. In the play-off hosts Italy beat the England national football team 2-1.

France

After missing out in 1994, the England national football team returned in 1998. Hosts France eventually went all the way to beat Brazil in the final, and claim their first ever world cup title. Two wins and a loss saw England progress in second place, behind their victors Romania. This sent the side into a tough last 16 match against Argentina. After an exciting four-goal game, the sides could not be separated. In their second consecutive tournament, the England national football team lost 4-3 on penalties.

Japan and South Korea

The world cup in 2002 was the first to be held in Asia. Japan and South Korea staged the competition, which was won by Brazil after they beat Germany 2-0 in the final. With two draws and a win, the England national football team squeezed into the next round by finishing second in the group. The win did come over adversaries Argentina however, who were ultimately eliminated in third place. The last- 16 brought fellow Europeans Denmark, who were comfortably defeated 3-0. The quarter-final saw the side come up against eventual winners Brazil. After a hard-fought game the side lost 2-1 to exit the tournament. This was partly down to a little bit of skill, or a little bit of luck, from Ronaldinho.

Germany

Germany hosted the 2006 world cup, which was eventually won by Italy. A strong group performance for the England national football team saw them remain unbeaten and finish top. Two wins against Paraguay and Trinidad and Tobago was followed by a 2-2 draw with Sweden. In the last 16 England narrowly overcame Ecuador 1-0, thanks to a stunning David Beckham free-kick. The team then faced Portugal in the quarter finals where they were undone by their old enemy. After a 0-0 draw, the side lost 3-1 on penalties to crash out of the world cup.

South Africa

In 2010 South Africa became the first country to host an African world cup. The tournament was won by Spain, who claimed their first world cup title. They defeated perennial losing finalists the Netherlands 1-0 after extra time. The England national football team struggle through their group, finishing second behind the United States. After two draws the side needed a nervous 1-0 win over Slovenia to progress. Things did not improve in the knock-out phase. Drawn against Germany, the side suffered an embarrassing 4-1 defeat to exit the competition. The game was notable for a goal that should have stood from Frank Lampard. It was one of the strongest reasons why goal-line technology was brought in for 2014.

Brazil

The world cup in 2014 was hosted by Brazil and won by Germany, who beat Argentina in the final. The England national football team were drawn in a tough group. After losing both of their opening games against Italy and Uruguay, by the time they faced surprise group winners Costa Rica they were already eliminated. It was the first time since 1958 that England left the tournament at the first stage.

Russia

The England national football team have been drawn in Group F alongside Slovakia, Scotland, Slovenia, Lithuania, and Malta.