England World Cup hotel protected by camel-saddled security guards

Security guards patrol England's hotel on camels

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The England World Cup hotel in Qatar is being guarded by an army of camel-saddled security guards. England touched down in the Middle East earlier this week ahead of the tournament, which gets underway on Sunday when the hosts take on Ecuador.

England have chosen to stay at the Souq Al Wakra Hotel, which is located on the shore of the Arabian Gulf, as FA chiefs and manager Gareth Southgate wanted to escape the bustle of Qatar’s capital city Doha.

The deluxe wellness retreat is located 12 miles from Doha but is proving far from peaceful as there are already two camels nearby who are moaning, groaning and bellowing at all hours, according to the Daily Star.

The pair are housed in a fenced off pen on the beach, which is in close proximity to the FA’s 95-strong party of players and staff. And the England players could even have their sleep disrupted as the animals are known to be noisy as they produce a variety of loud sounds that range from brays and hums to high-pitched squeaks.

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England booked their place at the World Cup after finishing top of their qualifying group courtesy of eight wins and two draws from 10 matches. And they are among the favourites to lift the trophy after reaching the semi-finals of the tournament in Russia four years ago.

But the Three Lions have endured a dismal run of form this year and haven’t won since overcoming Ivory Coast 3-0 at Wembley in March. They have played six Nations League matches since then but lost three of them and drew the others amid a downturn in fortunes.

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Southgate will therefore be well aware that he needs to rouse his stars in order for England to overcome their recent disappointments and launch an assault on winning the World Cup trophy. And ahead of the tournament, the 52-year-old said: “With the players we want to talk to them about the excitement of going to a World Cup,”

“We want the players to feel that enthusiasm that they’ve had since kids. We want to fuel that. It’s the challenge mindset. How can we take the supporters on another journey, like the one they loved four years ago and loved last summer? That’s why we do it and that’s what makes playing for England special.

“My only focus is, how do I help this team to have a brilliant tournament? And I think we’ve got a great chance. We’ve perhaps, as we did before Russia, qualified and managed expectations at the same time. I know what this group of players have been capable of.”

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