James Maddison, Ben White and Callum Wilson were the standout inclusions as Gareth Southgate named his 26-man England squad for the World Cup.
Southgate announced his squad today at St George’s Park as the Three Lions prepare for their first group clash against Iran a week on Monday.
Maddison has just one England cap to his name and has largely been overlooked by Southgate but his form for Leicester City this season has seen him included in the squad, which is bound to please supporters.
The playmaker’s ability has never been in question but Southgate has suggested in the past that off-field events have prevented Maddison from earning a call-up.
The midfielder has made no secret of his desire to earn a spot in the World Cup squad and he recently said appearing at one would be the ‘pinnacle’ of his career.
‘l’d be lying if I said it wasn’t in mind, the World Cup’s nearly here, and that’s the pinnacle, that’s the dream,’ said Maddison.
‘Youri’s going with his country. He’ll tell you playing for your country at a major competition is the best thing ever, and the pinnacle of what you aim for. I’m not going to lie, Geoff, and say it’s not on my mind’I say the same answer, and it becomes a bit cliche.
‘If I focus on what I’ll do for Leicester, and my performances here, hopefully that catches the eye of the England manager, and hopefully I can force myself into his plans, but it’s out of my control. I can just do what I did then for 90 minutes.’
England World Cup squad
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).
Forwards: Marcus Rashford (Man United), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Tottenham), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Raheem Sterling (Chelsea), Callum Wilson (Newcastle).
White has excelled at right-back for Arsenal and he’s been rewarded for his form with a spot, though it appears to be as a centre-back.
The former Brighton defender joins the likes of Maguire, John Stones, Conor Coady and Eric Dier as options in central defence.
In attack, Wilson is the most notable inclusion. The Newcastle striker has just four caps to his name and hasn’t played for his country since 2019.
However, after netting six goals in ten appearances for the Magpies this term, the 30-year-old has earned a spot alongside skipper Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Raheem Sterling and Rashford.
There’s a lifeline for Harry Maguire, who has been included despite losing his spot at Manchester United and suffering a dramatic drop in form over the last 12 months.
Rashford has regained his spot, despite not featuring for his country since the 2021 European Championships defeat to Italy, in which he missed a crucial spot kick in the penalty shootout.
The likes of Ivan Toney, Marc Guehi and Tammy Abraham were not so lucky, with Southgate opting to leave the trio out, while James Ward-Prowse is another left out.
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