England manager, Gareth Southgate, has said the team will be at the World.
Southgate said that England players are “desperate” to go to the World Cup in Russia.
England’s appearance at the World Cup became doubtful following the soaring political tensions between Britain and Russia over the poisoning of an ex-spy, Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia.
British Prime Minister, Theresa May, had on Wednesday blamed Russia for the death of Skripal while announcing that her country had expelled 23 diplomats and suspended high-level contacts with the 2018 World Cup host.
But when confronted with the question of whether England would snub the World Cup during the announcement of the team to face Netherlands and Italy in a international friendly, Southgate insisted that there are no plans for a boycott by the team.
He, however, said the security of players and staff would be taken into consideration.
The manager said, “We are desperate to go to a World Cup and that’s really where my remit ends on that matter.
“We’re preparing to go to the World Cup, there’s no doubt in our mind that’s what we should be doing.
“The only thing at this stage that is of highest importance is the safety and security of our players and absolutely of our travelling supporters.”
Comments