World Cup 2022: 'England future brighter now than it was in 2018'

The countdown clock will now have to be reset for 2026.

The clock was the direct result of former Football Association chairman Greg Dyke's bold opening keynote address at London's Millbank Tower in September 2013, when he set a much-derided goal of winning the tournament in Qatar.

In the end, England fell three wins short. Saturday's quarter-final defeat against holders France ended their hopes.

But time does not stand still. When the dust settles, attention must turn to Euro 2024 in Germany before another World Cup, to be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.

So where do England stand as they look to end the cycle of disappointment and become winners at last?

England's new generation to treasure

England may have done better to reach the semi-final in Moscow in 2018 than they did here in Qatar but Gareth Southgate's class of 2022 is unquestionably in much healthier shape for the future.

Six of the starting line-up that lost to Croatia four years ago were still in place against France - but there is a dash of youthful brilliance about England's current team, which gives it far more room for development than the one that featured Dele Alli going into decline, Jesse Lingard and the veteran Ashley Young.

England's young generation, barring the accidents or the unforeseen, will be getting to its peak at the next World Cup - and what a peak that promises to be.

Jude Bellingham, at just 19, is a future world star. He has already shown remarkable maturity for Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, has captained the Bundesliga giants, and was one of England's standout performers here.

He is the ideal modern midfield player, with skill, grace, power and intelligence. Bellingham is a future England captain. When he becomes available in the transfer market, Europe's elite will form an orderly queue.

Arsenal's Bukayo Saka is just 21 and is well-versed in the fluctuating fortunes of international football having missed a penalty in the Euro 2020 final shootout loss to Italy at Wembley.

Not only does this outstanding young personality have strength of character, he also has glorious skill and an ability to express himself freely on the field.

Saka scored twice as Iran were beaten 6-2, was on target in audacious fashion in the last-16 victory against Senegal and then tormented France in the quarter-final, winning a penalty and threatening on countless occasions.

If Saka was a stellar performer on one flank, Manchester City's 22-year-old Phil Foden was another signpost towards the future in the wide positions as he scored against Wales then created two of England's goals in the 3-0 win over Senegal. He is another certain starter for years.

West Ham United captain Declan Rice is only 23 but the manner in which he performed against France showed his comfort at World Cup level and just why he is so highly regarded. He is another who could wear the captain's armband in future.

England have other reserves of young talent to give the FA optimism that Dyke's dream can be achieved four years on from its original target.

Chelsea's Reece James, missing through injury here, is an outstanding right-back and only 23 while Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold, barely used in Qatar, is a year older.

Alexander-Arnold's Liverpool team-mate Harvey Elliott is a certain England player of the future at just 19, while Chelsea's Conor Gallagher, 22, will be even better for being with the squad out here.

Arsenal's Emile Smith Rowe, 22, and Aston Villa's talented 21-year-old Jacob Ramsey will have England aspirations of their own.

Others will emerge in the intervening years but amid the despair of this quarter-final loss, the future is a lot brighter than when England went one step further in Russia.