Finally, after days of speculation, we now know Gareth Southgate’s England World Cup squad.
The 23-man England squad was announced by video on Wednesday afternoon, with five other players also named on a standby list.
Many of those to have made the squad were quick to acknowledge their inclusion via social media, Marcus Rashford being one of them.
With the news confirmed, Rashford dedicated his call-up to his mum in a tweet sent shortly after the squad announcement.
‘After years of you standing on the touchline in the cold and rain, Mum we’re off to the World Cup,’ the tweet read.
Understandably, the touching message received plenty of retweets in the time after it was first posted.
After years of you standing on the touch line in the cold and rain, Mum we're off to the World Cup! 🦁🦁🦁 pic.twitter.com/JOCj5oBCtN
— Marcus Rashford (@MarcusRashford) May 16, 2018
Rashford was named in the squad along with Manchester United teammates Phil Jones, Jesse Lingard and Ashley Young. Although this won’t be Rashford’s first major tournament having appeared at the European Championships two years ago, it will be his first taste of a World Cup.
England kick off their tournament against Tunisia on June 18. They then face World Cup debutants Panama six days later before their closing group fixture with Belgium on June 28. All being well, they should then progress to the last 16 stage.
