Gareth Southgate has dropped the biggest hint yet that he will lead England to the 2026 World Cup

GARETH SOUTHGATE has given the strongest signal but he is considering leading England to the 2026 World Cup.

The Three Lions' longest-serving coach since Sir Bobby Robson had previously hinted he would be ready to quit after this summer's Euro 2024 final.

But at last night's Nations League draw he admitted the lure of staying at the helm for another two years was one he might not be able to resist, as long as he believes he is still the right man for the job is.

Southgate said: “There's no doubt it's exciting to take on this team and it always has been.

“Ultimately we have to deliver and you have to make the best decisions for everyone.

“I won't be in a position to make that decision before the tournament.”

He added: “There are probably 55 international coaches and there is a good chance that half of them won't be here after the European Championships. That is international football.

“You have to keep winning football matches and then make decisions.

“So I'm completely relaxed about that. All my focus is on delivering the best possible tournament this summer.”

Southgate's contract runs until December.

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However, he was expected to step aside for a replacement to take charge of the Autumn Nations League matches, which saw England draw against Finland, Ireland and Greece.

He said: “We have always put this period in retrospect to think about things and make the best possible decisions for England.

“If we were to do something earlier it would be at the expense of performance in the summer, regardless of how your decision turns out.

“We have to see how the summer goes, it's that simple.

“I know what we can achieve in the summer, which is my own measure of success.

“That won't necessarily determine my decision. My only focus is to try and win the tournament for England.”