Euro 2020 has been postponed for one year until the summer of 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The tournament was due to run from June 12 until July 12 this summer but will now take place from June 11 to July 11 in 2021 to provide the opportunity for the European leagues to be completed.
England would have fancied their chances of making a strong impression on the competition this year, but the Three Lions could perhaps be in an even better situation to win the trophy in 2021.
Indeed, a number of talented youngsters will have had an additional 12 months to develop, while the current injuries to the likes of Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford should, in theory, no longer be an issue.
Here, Sports Mole takes a look at how the 2018 World Cup semi-finalists could line up when they take to the field for the first match of next summer's competition.
The goalkeeping situation is particularly interesting as it had been thought that Gareth Southgate would keep faith with Jordan Pickford for Euro 2020 despite some under-par performances at club level this season. Dean Henderson would have pushed him close but 12 months on, the situation might have changed completely.
Indeed, Henderson has been terrific on loan at Sheffield United this season; much will depend on what happens with the stopper and parent club Manchester United, but the 23-year-old could well be in the driving seat for the gloves by the time that next summer's tournament rolls around.
Further forward, Trent Alexander-Arnold should, fitness permitting, feature at right-back, while Liverpool teammate Joe Gomez will also fancy his chances of earning one of the centre-back spots. Manchester United captain Harry Maguire is also expected to feature, while the left-back position could be filled by Ben Chilwell, who could well join either Chelsea or Manchester City in this summer's transfer window.
Jordan Henderson's form for Liverpool this season has been excellent, and it seems likely that he will be a certain starter in 12 months time, but the other two positions in midfield are up for grabs.
James Maddison and Jack Grealish have both enjoyed impressive campaigns for Leicester City and Aston Villa respectably, and the pair certainly have the talent to play alongside each other as part of a midfield three. In 12 months, Grealish could have just completed a season at Man United, while Maddison might have moved on from Leicester or at least spend another year developing all aspects of his game.
Rashford and Raheem Sterling are likely to battle for the spot on the left, and it is very, very difficult to choose between them. Much will depend on what type of seasons they enjoy next term but for the purposes of his XI we have selected Sterling, with Rashford very much the first option off the bench.
On the opposite side, Jadon Sancho has again been excellent for Borussia Dortmund this season and could well return to English football this summer; a strong campaign in the Premier League would leave the former Manchester City youngster as the favourite to get the nod on the right. Sterling or Rashford could also fill that position although neither play their football at club level on that particular side.
Kane, meanwhile, should be given the nod at centre-forward. The England captain has been on the sidelines since January with a hamstring injury but had again been in fine scoring form for Tottenham Hotspur, while he has netted 32 times in 45 appearances for his country. Unless Tammy Abraham has a record-breaking season and Kane struggles, the 26-year-old should lead the attack next summer.
Matt Law
