England World Cup squad 2022: Projected 26 players for Three Lions’ national football team roster in Qatar

England fans are expectant once again ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, having reached the final of Euro 2021 last summer and the last four at Russia 2018.

Gareth Southgate has taken the Three Lions closer to glory than any other manager since they last lifted the World Cup in 1966 — and Euro 2022 glory for the nation’s women’s side has only heightened excitement ahead of the journey to Qatar.

Southgate will be keen to manage the pressure surrounding his squad as the build-up to the tournament continues, but the former defender should also be confident of another strong performance. England will start among the leading contenders to hoist the famous trophy.

The majority of Southgate’s squad picks itself, but domestic form and injuries will also play a key role in his final decision. There are a host of injuries to consider, which could leave the squad somewhat shorthanded heading into the tournament.

MORE: FIFA World Cup: Which teams have qualified to Qatar 2022? Full list of all 32 nations

Projected England World Cup squad 2022

Southgate is likely to keep faith with the bulk of the squad that powered England to within touching distance of winning Euro 2021 last year, before their heart-breaking final defeat on penalties to Italy.

His starting defence and midfield rarely changed during the competition, and there appears to be little reason to alter his starting XI plans at this stage.

However, a mixed return to Premier League action for some in 2021/22 unsettled certain positions, with Manchester United trio Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford coming under the most significant pressure. Southgate will also likely not be afraid of including young stars emerging in the current 2022/23 campaign.

Additionally, there are some injuries to key players for consideration. Most importantly, it looks like Reece James could be a serious question mark for participation at the World Cup, having already been ruled out of action through the Premier League stoppage in play. Kyle Walker’s situation is also up in the air, with a groin injury that required surgery and still no estimated return date.

Midfielder Kalvin Phillips hasn’t played for months with a shoulder injury, and there’s also no estimated date for his return, which is a major doubt. Arsenal midfielder Emile Smith Rowe had groin surgery and is likely out of action for the World Cup. Finally, another Gunner international Bukayo Saka was forced off in Arsenal’s match against Nottingham Forest on October 30 and there will be plenty of attention around his diagnosis moving forward.

Southgate was permitted to name an official preliminary list including between 35-55 players by Friday, October 21 with FIFA confirming final 26-man squads need to be submitted by no later than November 14.

The preliminary list was not formally announced by the English FA, but news reports have already provided us with a handful of names who made the first cut: Callum Wilson (Newcastle), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), James Maddison (Leicester City)Lewis Dunk (Brighton), and Danny Welbeck (Brighton)

Taking the above into account alongside previous World Cup qualifying and friendly rosters across the past year, these are the names most likely to be on Southgate’s preliminary list.

Position Player Club Age Caps 2022 World Cup
Qualifiers
Goalkeeper Dean Henderson Nottingham Forest (ENG) 25 1 0
Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford Everton (ENG) 28 45 4
Goalkeeper Nick Pope Newcastle United (ENG) 30 10 3
Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale Arsenal (ENG) 24 3 1
Defender Trent Alexander-Arnold Liverpool (ENG) 24 17 3
Defender Ben Chilwell Chelsea (ENG) 25 17 5
Defender Conor Coady Everton (ENG) 29 10 4
Defender Eric Dier Tottenham (ENG) 28 47 0
Defender Lewis Dunk Brighton (ENG) 30 1 0
Defender Marc Guehi Crystal Palace (ENG) 22 3 1
Defender Reece James Chelsea (ENG) 22 15 5
Defender Harry Maguire Manchester United (ENG) 29 48 6
Defender Luke Shaw Manchester United (ENG) 27 23 4
Defender John Stones Manchester City (ENG) 28 59 9
Defender Fikayo Tomori AC MIlan (ITA) 24 3 1
Defender Kieran Trippier Newcastle United (ENG) 32 37 3
Defender Kyle Walker Manchester City (ENG) 32 70 6
Defender Ben White Arsenal (ENG) 25 4 0
Midfielder Jude Bellingham Borussia Dortmund (GER) 19 17 4
Midfielder Eberechi Eze Crystal Palace (ENG) 24 0 0
Midfielder Conor Gallagher Crystal Palace (ENG) 22 4 1
Midfielder Jordan Henderson Liverpool (ENG) 32 70 4
Midfielder James Maddison Leicester City (ENG) 25 1 0
Midfielder Mason Mount Chelsea (ENG) 23 32 8
Midfielder Kalvin Phillips Manchester City (ENG) 26 23 7
Midfielder Declan Rice West Ham United (ENG) 23 34 5
Midfielder Emile Smith Rowe Arsenal (ENG) 22 3 2
Midfielder James Ward-Prowse Southampton (ENG) 27 11 3
Forward Tammy Abraham AS Roma (ITA) 25 11 4
Forward Jarrod Bowen West Ham United (ENG) 25 4 0
Forward Phil Foden Manchester City (ENG) 21 18 7
Forward Jack Grealish Manchester City (ENG) 27 24 6
Forward Harry Kane Tottenham (ENG) 29 75 8
Forward Marcus Rashford Manchester United (ENG) 24 46 3
Forward Bukayo Saka Arsenal (ENG) 21 20 5
Forward Jadon Sancho Manchester United (ENG) 22 23 1
Forward Raheem Sterling Manchester City (ENG) 79 19 7
Forward Ivan Toney Brentford (ENG) 26 0 0
Forward Danny Welbeck Brighton (ENG) 31 42 0
Forward Callum Wilson Newcastle (ENG) 30 4 0

Final 26-man England World Cup roster

England will not play any pre-tournament friendlies ahead of the World Cup with Southgate basing his final squad pick on domestic, and previous international form. Reports indicate that he will reveal his 26-man squad on Thursday, November 10.

Here’s a projected look at a possible 26-man list assuming players are fit and ready, which at this stage is far from certain. The participation of Smith Rowe, Walker, and Phillips seems to be trending towards unlikely, and Saka’s prognosis will be one to watch in the coming weeks.

Position Player Club Age Caps 2022 World Cup
Qualifiers
Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford Everton (ENG) 28 45 4
Goalkeeper Nick Pope Newcastle United (ENG) 30 10 3
Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale Arsenal (ENG) 24 3 1
Defender Trent Alexander-Arnold Liverpool (ENG) 24 17 3
Defender Ben Chilwell Chelsea (ENG) 25 17 5
Defender Eric Dier Tottenham (ENG) 28 47 0
Defender Reece James Chelsea (ENG) 22 15 5
Defender Harry Maguire Manchester United (ENG) 29 48 6
Defender Luke Shaw Manchester United (ENG) 27 23 4
Defender John Stones Manchester City (ENG) 28 59 9
Defender Kieran Trippier Newcastle United (ENG) 32 37 3
Defender Kyle Walker Manchester City (ENG) 32 70 6
Defender Ben White Arsenal (ENG) 25 4 0
Midfielder Jude Bellingham Borussia Dortmund (GER) 19 17 4
Midfielder Conor Gallagher Crystal Palace (ENG) 22 4 1
Midfielder Jordan Henderson Liverpool (ENG) 32 70 4
Midfielder Mason Mount Chelsea (ENG) 23 32 8
Midfielder Kalvin Phillips Manchester City (ENG) 26 23 7
Midfielder Declan Rice West Ham United (ENG) 23 34 5
Forward Tammy Abraham AS Roma (ITA) 25 11 4
Forward Phil Foden Manchester City (ENG) 21 18 7
Forward Jack Grealish Manchester City (ENG) 27 24 6
Forward Harry Kane Tottenham (ENG) 29 75 8
Forward Marcus Rashford Manchester United (ENG) 24 46 3
Forward Bukayo Saka Arsenal (ENG) 21 20 5
Forward Raheem Sterling Manchester City (ENG) 79 19 7

Goalkeeper

Everton star Jordan Pickford was an ever-present for England during their run to the semifinals and final of the last two major tournaments.

Penalty shootout heroics only boosted his status as Southgate’s No.1, and despite missing the September UEFA Nations League games through injury, he remains first choice, with Nick Pope and Aaron Ramsdale as backups.

Defence

Southgate has an embarrassment of riches at full-back, however injury concerns over Kyle Walker and Reece James will influence his final plans, with Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold back into contention after missing out on Euro 2021.

Trent Alexander-Arnold looks dejected after Liverpool draw with Tottenham

Getty Images

Walker and James will both be included if they can return to club action before the World Cup, but doubts persist over United skipper Harry Maguire.

Maguire’s struggles at United have not diminished his importance to Southgate, with John Stones a seemingly certain selection alongside him, in either a back four or a three-man defence.

Luke Shaw impressed at Euro 2021, but he could be a major casualty if Southgate drafts Kieran Trippier in as a cover option at left-back.

Midfield

The defensive pivot of Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips offered England a platform to build on at Euro 2021, and they are expected to continue that partnership in Qatar if Phillips can somehow return to fitness. Jude Bellingham’s rapid rise presents Southgate with an extra option.

Depending on formation, Mason Mount is likely to start as the link man between midfield and attack, while the England boss has a decision to make over whether to take Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson or opt for a more energetic, younger option such as Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher.

Forwards

Captain Harry Kane is an undisputed starter for Southgate and he could break the England all-time goal record in Qatar.

Raheem Sterling’s goals were crucial at Euro 2021, and he will stay in the starting XI if he maintains solid form at Chelsea, with Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish fighting for the other starting spot in an advanced attacking role.

Jack Grealish, Dominik Szoboszlai, England vs Hungary

Southgate is well-stocked with wide options, but an alternative — more traditional — partner for Kane could be more of a challenge.

Tammy Abraham’s impressive goal return in Serie A last season keeps him in the reckoning, but a wildcard call for Brentford’s Ivan Toney — called up for the first time for the September internationals — would give Southgate something extra, if Plan A needs to be tweaked.

MORE: When is the Premier League winter break for Qatar 2022? 

England projected starting lineup at World Cup 2022

(3-4-3): Pickford — Walker, Maguire, Stones — James, Phillips, Rice, Trippier — Sterling, Kane, Grealish

(4-2-3-1): Pickford — Walker, Maguire, Stones, Trippier — Phillips, Rice — Saka, Mount, Sterling — Kane

When is England World Cup squad announced?

Southgate is expected to announce his final 26-man roster on Thursday, November 10. The deadline to submit the final rosters to FIFA is Monday, November 14. 

England will kick off its participation at the 2022 FIFA World Cup against Iran on Monday, November 21.

How many players will be in England’s World Cup squad?

World Cup rosters previously consisted of 23 players, including three goalkeepers, but FIFA have expanded squads to 26 for Qatar 2022, meaning Southgate has scope to include a few more bold calls in his selection.

The extra places allow for more experimentation, particularly in attacking areas, and may provide Southgate an opportunity to go with less-experienced options to offer a surprise factor in Qatar.

Alongside his final squad, Southgate is likely to name a standby list, as he did for Euro 2021.

Teams are allowed to make replacements for serious injury or medical conditions up to 24 hours before their first match in the World Cup. However, any such swap must take place from the original 55-man preliminary list.

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