Five big calls as Gareth Southgate names his England World Cup squad

Southgate has picked his side ready for the World Cup

Gareth Southgate has named his 26-man England World Cup squad. Southgate has picked the players he believes are capable of winning a first World Cup trophy since 1966. Among the ranks include the likes of captain Harry Kane, talented youngster Jude Bellingham and reliable shot-stopper Jordan Pickford, who have all featured in tournaments under Southgate previously. James Maddison has also been named in the squad and is in line to feature at his first-ever international major tournament. Maddison has been one of the standout players in the Premier League this season and will have the chance to impress in Qatar. Ivan Toney and Tammy Abraham have also failed to make the cut, with Callum Wilson being preferred instead. Ben White has also made the squad in place of Fikayo Tomori and Marc Guehi, with many left disappointed at Tomori's exclusion Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold has also failed to secure a place on the plane even though the Three Lions boss has been forced to leave out Reece James due to injury. Kyle Walker and Kalvin Phillips have both been included after they were deemed fit enough to return from their injury troubles. https://twitter.com/England/status/1590705547057111040

The full England World Cup squad

Here (below) is the full squad, with the FIVE big calls, in our mind, marked in bold.

Goalkeepers

Jordan Pickford (Everton) Nick Pope (Newcastle), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal).

Defenders

Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Conor Coady (on loan at Everton from Wolves), Eric Dier (Tottenham), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Kyle Walker (Manchester City) Ben White (Arsenal).

Midfielders

Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Mason Mount (Chelsea), Kalvin Phillips (Manchester City), Declan Rice (West Ham), James Maddison (Leicester City), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea).

Attackers

Marcus Rashford (Man United), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Tottenham), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Raheem Sterling (Chelsea), Callum Wilson (Newcastle).

England will fly out to Qatar on Tuesday November 15 before they prepare to take on Iran in their opening group stage game on Monday November 21. The Three Lions will also face the USA and Wales in their other group stage fixtures. Related links:

• Sepp Blatter admits Qatar World Cup was ‘a mistake’
• Gary Neville destroyed by Ian Hislop over Qatar World Cup role
• FootballJOE’s 2022 Fifa World Cup Hub: The latest updates from Qatar

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