The immediate future of English football is at stake over the next two weeks. If England do not successfully negotiate their way through the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against Montenegro and Poland, the national game will sink into such a depression, I am not sure how it recovers.

It would be catastrophic not to be in Rio next summer. Failure is unthinkable, not just for the careers of players and the manager, but because of the broader consequences. Every strand of English football would be hurt by not being there.

Weight of the World: English football faces oblivion should national team coach Roy Hodgson fail to negotiate a path to next year's World Cup in Rio. Credit:Getty Images

The world's greatest party is being held at what is rightly considered the home of 'the beautiful game' and the damage of not being invited in terms of perceptions of English football, reputation and long-term development of players would take a while to reverse. It is bad enough being considered in the second tier of international countries, but falling into the third tier is a long way back.

I can well imagine what will happen if results do not go England's way. There may be those talking about 'blessings in disguise' and an opportunity to take stock and rebuild, looking to the youth. That would be nonsense. There is no silver lining if England do not get there. None at all.