Boost for League One fans as Bristol Rovers, Derby, Portsmouth and others able to watch England at World Cup

Bristol Rovers, Derby County, Portsmouth and fans of other League One clubs keen to watch England at the World Cup have been given a boost.

The EFL today released their fixtures for the 2022/23 season with Bristol Rovers starting their campaign at home against Forest Green Rovers.

Unlike the Premier League and the Championship which will pause for a few weeks, the third and fourth tier of English football will continue on, unless there are exceptional circumstances with players being involved.

It could have potentially seen fans have to choose between watching their club or watching their country but common sense has prevailed and that has been avoided. The EFL however have counted for the Three Lions’ group stage matches and have ensured there will be no clash.

Fans keen to watch England in person are extremely likely miss the games but fans keen to support Gareth Southgate’s men from home will face no clash, at least for the first three games.

England are due to play Iran in their opening group match on Monday November 21 at 13:00, the United States on Friday, November 25 at 19:00 and round off their group against Wales on Tuesday, November 29, also at 19:00.

Games aren’t usually scheduled for Monday’s in the EFL, whilst Friday games are usually only played on the advice of broadcast requests or from the advice of others like the police.

No games have been scheduled for any of these match days, leaving for a free Saturday of club football on November 29 in an all British clash with Gareth Bale and co.

There will be some clashes however from games not involving England or Wales, with fans instead supporting their team elsewhere.

Should teams progress to the second round of the FA Cup then they will miss potentially four matches. The second round is due to take place on Saturday, November 26, which has World Cup games like Tunisia v Australia, Poland v Saudi Arabia, holders France versus Denmark and Argentina against Mexico.

Bristol Rovers games scheduled during the World Cup

FA Cup second qualifying round - Saturday, November 26.

Bolton Wanderers (A) - Saturday, December 3, 15:00

Port Vale (H) - Saturday, December 10, 15:00

Charlton Athletic (A) - Saturday, December 17, 15:00

England’s World Cup fixtures

Iran - Monday, November 21, 13:00

United States - Friday, November 25, 19:00

Wales, Tuesday, November 29, 19:00

Round of 16 - (If England finish second in Group B, they face the winner of Group A) - Saturday, December 3, 15:00

Round of 16 - (If England finish first in Group B, they face the runner-up of Group A) - Sunday, December 4, 19:00

Quarter-finals - (If England finish second and beat winner of Group A) - Saturday, December 10, 19:00

Quarter-finals - (If England finish first and beat runner-up of Group B) - Friday, December 9, 15:00