Qatar 2022: Rashford, Saka, Maddison, 23 Others Make England World Cup Squad

• As Harry Kane leads charge against Iran, the United States, Wales

BY VICTOR OSOWOCHI – With James Maddison, Conor Gallagher and Callum Wilson considered by pundits as the shock picks for the Three Lions, England’s manager, Gareth Southgate has named a 26-strong pool of players travelling to Qatar for this year’s World Cup in what has been described as the strongest group to leave the English shores for the global football fiesta since 2006

No doubt, there will be the traditional mix of euphoria and despair around the nation today (Friday) over the Three Lions gaffer’s whittling down of his 55-man provisional list to the special 26 that will storm the Western Asian nation for the showpiece.

Once again, it is Harry Kane that will spearhead Southgate’s troops looking to win his first-ever competition trophy as England flag-off their World Cup campaign against Iran on Monday, November 21 in Group B.

The Tottenham Hotspur man is landing in Qatar with the honours of having emerged as the top scorer at the 2018 World Cup hosted by Russia.

England’s next outing will be a clash against Gregg Berhalter’s United States, with the mouth-watering clash against near-neighbours Wales as the final game on November 29.

Also making the team is Jordan Pickford whom many see as a safe hand that has never let anyone down for England, and he will be given the gloves in Qatar.  Similarly, the much-maligned Harry Maguire might not have returned to the much-expected form for Manchester United this season, but he remains one of Southgate’s favourites in the squad.

However, arguably the biggest talking point is the inclusion of James Maddison in the squad. He appears to have finally won over Southgate after his stunning form for Leicester dragged them off the bottom of the Premier League.

Southgate made a personal call to Maddison on Thursday morning to tell him the good news. It came out of the blue for the Leicester playmaker, who feared he would remain in the cold despite his outstanding form this year. – With agency reports

England’s 26-Man Special Squad

Goalkeepers:
Jordan Pickford
Nick Pope
Aaron Ramsdale

Defenders:
Luke Shaw
John Stones
Eric Dier
Harry Maguire
Ben White
Conor Coady
Kyle Walker
Kieran Trippier
Trent Alexander-Arnold

Midfielders:
Mason Mount
James Maddison
Conor Gallagher
Declan Rice
Jude Bellingham
Jordan Henderson
Kalvin Phillips

Forwards:
Harry Kane
Callum Wilson
Raheem Sterling
Jack Grealish
Phil Foden
Marcus Rashford
Bukayo Saka