England squad touches down in Doha for the World Cup on Gay Pride plane

England’s World Cup squad have touched down on the tarmac in Qatar, having arrived in a Virgin Atlantic aircraft emblazoned with Gay Pride logo in staunch defiance of the host nation’s attitudes towards homosexuality.

Gareth Southgate’s side left the national team training ground at St George’s Park this morning and headed to Birmingham Airport, where they stepped onto their flight to Doha. 

A host of England players including star striker Harry Kane were pictured stepping out of the jet around 8.30pm local time in Qatar (5.30 GMT) and filing into a bus which whisked them to the terminal and on to their accommodation ahead of the start of their World Cup campaign against Iran next Monday.

The squad will now complete a light training session this evening, before serious preparations get underway at their Al Wakrah training facility on Wednesday ahead of next Monday’s tournament opener.

England arrived in Doha on a Gay Pride jet – a ‘Rain Bow’ Virgin Atlantic A350 Airbus – despite Qatar’s policies where it is illegal to be gay – in a show of support for LGBTQ+ people living in the Gulf state. 

The jet features a picture of Oscar, a cartoon man holding a Union flag while wearing a small set rainbow-coloured trainers, beneath the cabin. And it sports the registration number ‘GV -PRD’ – in a nod to the Gay Pride. 

But, as in so many World Cup penalty shootouts before, the Three Lions have once again been trumped by Germans in their show of support. 

The Germans have gone one further, with airliner Lufthansa emblazoning the side of the squad’s World Cup jet with a huge ‘Diversity Wins’ motif.

England manager Gareth Southgate arrives in Doha after England’s flight touched down

England begin their World Cup campaign against Iran on Monday, before further group fixtures against the USA and Wales

England captain Harry Kane exiting their plane after landing in Qatar – he is just three goals away from being the nation’s all-time record goalscorer

The aircraft features a picture of Oscar, a cartoon man holding a Union Jack flag while wearing rainbow-coloured trainers, beneath the cabin

England’s travelled to Qatar on a plane called the ‘Rain Bow’, pictured at Birmingham Airport on Tuesday ahead of their flight 

England manager Gareth Southgate boards the team jet to Qatar ahead of his side’s World Cup campaign, which stars on Monday against Iran

The German team are pictured boarding their special diversity jet as they fly out to Qatar to take part in the World Cup

Like in many World Cups prior, England have found themselves trumped by the Germans, who are flying to the Middle Eastern nation on board a Lufthansa plane with a huge ‘Diversity Wins’ logo emblazoned on the side

Manchester City pair Jack Grealish and Kyle Walker step off the plane as they arrive in Doha, with the latter recovering from injury in time to make the final 26-man squad

England’s squad looked in a relaxed mood as they arrived at around 8.30PM local time (5.30PM GMT)

Southgate is heading into his third tournament as England boss since he took over from Sam Allardyce back in 2016

FA chiefs proposed the idea of the Gay Pride plane to highlight concerns over gay rights in Qatar, where same-sex relationships remain a criminal offence and whose World Cup Ambassador last week said homosexuality is ‘damage in the mind’.

Anyone found participating in same-sex sexual activity in Qatar can be punished by up to seven years in prison, while there are also concerns about thousands of migrant workers having died in Qatar since it won the rights to host the World Cup.

Earlier, they had heard a rousing speech from Prince William and received encouragement from a large group of young fans as they departed St George’s Park.

Addressing the players, Prince William said: ‘What you and Gareth have built here is something special, that’s clear to see.

‘Play for each other, support each other, enjoy it, and I’m sure you’ll go far.’

‘I’m really here to point out the rest of the country is behind you, we’re all rooting for you. Enjoy it.’

England players pictured at Birmingham Airport on Tuesday morning as they board their flight to Qatar and the World Cup

England’s Virgin Atlantic jet takes off at Birmingham Airport as the players and staff make their way to Qatar

The England team left St George’s Park on Tuesday morning bound for the World Cup in Qatar after a send-off by young fans

Prince Williams offered words of encouragement to Harry Kane (right) and the England players as they departed for Qatar

England captain Harry Kane spoke before the squad departed for their flight to Qatar on Tuesday morning

A group of young England fans were waiting to give the Three Lions an emotional send-off outside St George’s Park

The Prince of Wales chats to Manchester City star Jack Grealish during the pre-World Cup departure royal visit on Monday 

Speaking before they departed for Qatar this morning, England captain Harry Kane said: ‘I’m excited. The World Cup is a special occasion. Obviously we’re flying out today. So I’m really excited. 

‘For most professional players, its the biggest tournament you can play in. I’ve been lucky enough to do one and it was one of the greatest experiences of my life. And I can’t wait to get out this weather and get some sun!’

After the players boarded the two coaches, they set off for the airport as the eager fans waved their flags and chanted ‘England! England! England!’.

Newcastle striker Callum Wilson also spoke before leaving and reflected on his inclusion in the World Cup squad. 

He said: ‘Over the moon. You work hard as a football player to try and get opportunities like this and it’s one that you grasp with both hands.

‘Life’s all about timing. I’ve had three years away. The pinnacle of my career was scoring on my debut for England. It’s a moment I want to add to. Going to a World Cup, there’s great opportunities to go and make history.’

England open their campaign against Iran on Monday before further group stage matches against the United States on November 25 and Wales on November 29. 

Kalvin Phillips boards the team coach at St George’s Park ahead of their trip to the World Cup, cheered on by flag-waving fans

England defender Harry Maguire (left) shared an Instagram snap from the plane alongside goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, while John Stones was seated next to Manchester City team-mate Kyle Walker on the flight (right)

Chelsea star Mason Mount climbs the steps to England’s Virgin Atlantic flight to the Middle-East ahead of the World Cup

Declan Rice, the England midfielder, looked in a happy mood as he headed off to the World Cup with his team-mates 

FIFA has urged countries to focus on football during the competition, but Southgate has said it is ‘highly unlikely’ that England will do so.

He said: ‘We’re very strong on inclusivity. We understand the challenges that this tournament brings . . . the human rights challenges.

‘We’ve always spoken about issues we think should be talked about, particularly ones we feel we can affect.’

In an emotionally-charged speech on the eve of their World Cup departure, Southgate urged his players to write their own history.

The Three Lions boss addressed his players and staff, urging them to seize the opportunity to win the country’s first World Cup since 1966.

Despite a poor UEFA Nations League campaign this year, England head to Qatar as one of the tournament favourites having reached the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and also the final of last year’s European Championship.

And Southgate genuinely believes England have a chance of winning the World Cup for the second time and urged the current crop to become the best in history.

Players spent much of Monday undertaking promotional work with kit suppliers Nike while squad members underwent light recovery sessions ahead of their departure for Doha at 10am on Tuesday.

The FA also organised for a mystery guest to attend Monday’s festivities at St George’s Park, as Southgate looked to tap into his players psychologically.

During the Euros, singer Ed Sheeran visited England’s training centre to perform a special set for the players.