England squad for World Cup 2022 CONFIRMED as Gareth Southgate picks his 26 stars gunning for glory in Qatar
GARETH SOUTHGATE has named his 26-man squad for England’s World Cup campaign with Conor Gallagher and Callum Wilson the shock picks.
The Three Lions gaffer has whittled down his 55-man provisional list to the special 26.
And there will be the traditional mix of euphoria and despair around the nation today.
England start their World Cup campaign against Iran on Monday, November 21 in Group B.
Next up is a clash against Gregg Berhalter’s US, with the mouth-watering clash against near-neighbours Wales the final game on November 29.
Harry Kane will once again spearhead Southgate‘s troops looking to win his first ever competition trophy.
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The Spurs man was the top scorer at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Jordan Pickford has never let anyone down for England, and he will be given the gloves in Qatar.
The much-maligned Harry Maguire might not have found much form for Manchester United this season, but he is one of Southgate’s favourites in the squad.
James Maddison’s inclusion is arguably the biggest talking point. He appears to have finally won over Southgate after his stunning form for Leicester dragged them off the bottom of the Premier League.
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Speaking about Maddison, Southgate said: “He is a really good player, he is playing well and he can offer something different.
“For the Euros he wasn’t in contention, he had a bit of a problem with his hip.
“But he is a little bit different to the others.”
The 25-year-old has only a single cap for the Three Lions, coming in 2019 in a 7-0 win against Montenegro.
Southampton star James Ward-Prowse might feel particularly hard done by after just missing out on England’s Euro 2020 squad.
Brentford’s Ivan Toney was a long-shot after earning a recent call-up, but his eight goals in 13 Premier League appearances have not proved enough.
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Defenders Marc Guehi and Fikayo Tomori have also missed the cut but the inclusion of Ben White might surprise some.
Tammy Abraham and Jarrod Bowen of Roma and West Ham respectively have not replicated last season’s stunning form this time around and won’t be on the plane.