The FIFA World Cup is rapidly approaching and we can think of no better way to spend the summer.

Football’s greatest spectacle kicks off in Russia on the 14th of June when the host nation take on Saudi Arabia.

Brazil and Spain probably enter the tournament as favourites, but France, Germany and Belgium will all be confident of stealing march on the Moscow final.

When it comes to England however, expectations aren’t quite as high.

There is no doubting Gareth Southgate boasts an exciting and talented squad, but there are definitely doubts over whether or not they could inflict any real damage on the big boys at the business end of the tournament.

With Tottenham hitman Harry Kane leading the line though, anything is possible, and the England lads might just thrive under a less significant weight of expectation.

Manager Gareth Southgate is certainly leaving no stone unturned as he tries to make sure his side are as prepared as they possibly could be when they depart English shores.

That desire however, has lead to a few unusual preparation tactics.

Jordan Pickford admitted that England’s potential spot kick takers have been practising the infamous walk from the halfway line in the case of a penalty shootout.

Now, according The Times, Southgate has made another bizarre request by specifically asking for his side’s upcoming friendly with Costa Rica to be officiated by a referee from Asia.

How strange.

Bare with us though - his logic does make sense when it is explained.

Southgate wants his team to get used to the different styles of officiating that they could experience at the global showpiece.

Without an Asian nation in their group, chances of referees being chosen from that federation to officiate England’s games are high.

So it does makes sense in the end, but you can’t help but feel it is a little over the top.

No one will be complaining if it works I suppose.

Let’s face it though, it’s hard to imagine Harry Kane lifting that famous old trophy in Moscow on July 15th.

Scenes if he does.