World Cup dreams will be made and hopes cruelly shattered as Gareth Southgate names his final Three Lions squad for Qatar 2022 this afternoon. The England boss will announce a 26-man group to travel to the inaugural winter tournament, where Group B fixtures await against Iran, the United States and Wales.
Reece James is understood to have lost his fitness battle as he prepares to miss out along with injured Chelsea team-mate Ben Chilwell. However, Manchester City duo Kyle Walker and Kalvin Phillips have made excellent progress in their respective recoveries, with the likes of Arsenal’s Ben White, Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford and Newcastle frontman Callum Wilson also expected to book a seat on the plane.
However, an anxious wait remains for many others this morning, while Tottenham boss Antonio Conte has sparked concern by admitting that England captain and talisman Harry Kane was battling fatigue despite starting in the Carabao Cup defeat by Nottingham Forest last night. Follow England’s World Cup squad announcement live below!
Live updates
Trio set to be included
Marcus Rashford, Callum Wilson and Ben White are set to make Gareth Southgate’s England squad, writes Nizaar Kinsella.
The two forwards are yet to fully learn their fate but people with knowledge of the Three Lions squad understand they will be on the list when it is announced.
Manchester United’s Rashford has not made an England squad since Euro 2020 where he missed a penalty in the final shootout defeat to Italy.
With Harry Kane as England’s captain and main No9, it will likely mean that Roma’s Tammy Abraham, Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Brentford’s Ivan Toney are not selected.
Arsenal’s Ben White is also thought to be in the list that will be announced at St George’s Park.
Read the full story on that here
Southgate to hold press conference
Following this afternoon’s announcement, Southgate will then conduct a press conference.
Expect plenty of questions about those not included, particularly if James Maddison is on that list, and some scrutiny on players that have been picked despite struggling for their clubs.
Good morning!
Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of England’s World Cup squad announcement!
Gareth Southgate will name his 26-man squad for the tournament in Qatar at 2pm GMT this afternoon, a group he hopes can take the Three Lions all the way.
Injury concerns, players who have had minimal club football this season… plenty of intrigue! We’ll have all the latest updates and then full coverage of the announcement when it comes.
