Having reached the Euro 2021 final last summer and the last four in Russia in 2018, England fans are once again optimistic ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Gareth Southgate has taken the Three Lions closer to glory than any other manager since they last won the World Cup in 1966 — and Euro 2022 glory for the nation’s women’s team has only fueled excitement ahead of the trip to Qatar.
Southgate will be keen to manage the pressure around his team as the tournament continues to build, but the former defender should also be confident of another strong performance. England will start among the main contenders to lift the famous trophy.
Southgate will name his final 26-man squad on Thursday, November 10, and choose his starting line-up himself, but domestic form and injuries will also play a key role in his final decision. There are a number of injuries to consider, which could leave the team somewhat short heading into the tournament.
More: FIFA World Cup schedule 2022
The final 26-man England World Cup Squad 2022
England did not play any pre-tournament friendlies before the World Cup, with Southgate picking his final squad based on domestic and previous international form. He announced his 26-member squad on November 10.
With Rhys James and Ben Chilwell sidelined through injury, Southgate had to look for other options in defence. Conor Gallagher and James Maddison both made the final 26-man squad in midfield while he preferred Ivan Toney and Tammy Abraham as the outside pick-up front ahead of Callum Wilson.
Here is the final 26-man roster of players.
| Position | No. | Player | Club | Age | Caps | 2022 World Cup Qualifiers |
| GK | 1 | Jordan Pickford | Everton (ENG) | 28 | 45 | 4 |
| GK | 13 | Nick Pope | Newcastle United (ENG) | 30 | 10 | 3 |
| GK | 23 | Aaron Ramsdale | Arsenal (ENG) | 24 | 3 | 1 |
| DEF | 18 | Trent Alexander-Arnold | Liverpool (ENG) | 24 | 17 | 3 |
| DEF | 16 | Conor Coady | Everton (ENG) | 29 | 10 | 4 |
| DEF | 15 | Eric Dier | Tottenham (ENG) | 28 | 47 | 0 |
| DEF | 7 | Harry Maguire | Manchester United (ENG) | 29 | 48 | 6 |
| DEF | 3 | Luke Shaw | Manchester United (ENG) | 27 | 23 | 4 |
| DEF | 5 | John Stones | Manchester City (ENG) | 28 | 59 | 9 |
| DEF | 12 | Kieran Trippier | Newcastle United (ENG) | 32 | 37 | 3 |
| DEF | 2 | Kyle Walker | Manchester City (ENG) | 32 | 70 | 6 |
| DEF | 21 | Ben White | Arsenal (ENG) | 25 | 4 | 0 |
| MID | 22 | Jude Bellingham | Borussia Dortmund (GER) | 19 | 17 | 4 |
| MID | 26 | Conor Gallagher | Chelsea (ENG) | 22 | 4 | 1 |
| MID | 8 | Jordan Henderson | Liverpool (ENG) | 32 | 70 | 4 |
| MID | 19 | Mason Mount | Chelsea (ENG) | 23 | 32 | 8 |
| MID | 14 | Kalvin Phillips | Manchester City (ENG) | 26 | 23 | 7 |
| MID | 4 | Declan Rice | West Ham United (ENG) | 23 | 34 | 5 |
| MID | 25 | James Maddison | Leicester City (ENG) | 25 | 1 | 0 |
| MID | 20 | Phil Foden | Manchester City (ENG) | 21 | 18 | 7 |
| FWD | 24 | Callum Wilson | Newcastle (ENG) | 30 | 4 | 0 |
| FWD | 7 | Jack Grealish | Manchester City (ENG) | 27 | 24 | 6 |
| FWD | 9 | Harry Kane | Tottenham (ENG) | 29 | 75 | 8 |
| FWD | 11 | Marcus Rashford | Manchester United (ENG) | 24 | 46 | 3 |
| FWD | 17 | Bukayo Saka | Arsenal (ENG) | 21 | 20 | 5 |
| FWD | 10 | Raheem Sterling | Manchester City (ENG) | 27 | 79 | 7 |
Goalkeeper
Everton star Jordan Pickford has been an ever-present for England in their run to the semi-finals and finals of the last two major tournaments.
A penalty shootout heroics only enhanced his status as Southgate’s No.1, and despite missing September’s UEFA Nations League games through injury, he remains first-choice with Nick Pope and Aaron Ramsdale back-up.
Defense
Southgate was once an embarrassment of riches at full-back, but with concerns injuries to Kyle Walker and Reece James will affect his final plans, Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold is back in contention after missing out on Euro 2021.
Ben Chilwell‘s injury also affected the left-back position, and regular right-back Kieran Trippier should now be on the final roster with the ability to fill in on the opposite flank for starter Luke Shaw.
Both Walker and James will be included if they can return to club action before the World Cup, but United captain Harry Maguire remains a doubt. Maguire’s struggles at United have not diminished his importance to Southgate, with John Stones seemingly a sure-fire option alongside him in a four or three-man defense.
Midfield
The defensive pivot of Declan Rice and Calvin Phillips offered England a platform to build on at Euro 2021, and if Phillips can return to fitness they will be expected to continue that partnership in Qatar. The rapid rise of Jude Bellingham presents Southgate with an additional option.
Depending on the formation, Mason Mount is likely to start as a link man between midfield and attack, while the England boss will have to decide whether to bring on Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson or opt for a more energetic, youthful option such as Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher.
Forward
Captain Harry Kane is the undisputed starter for Southgate and could break England’s all-time goalscoring record in Qatar.
Raheem Sterling’s goals have been key at Euro 2021, and if he maintains his strong form at Chelsea he will be in the starting XI, with Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish battling for another starting spot in an advanced attacking role.
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 goalscoring return to Serie A last season keeps him in the reckoning, but a wildcard call-up for Brentford’s Ivan Toney – a first for a September international – will give Southgate something more, should Plan A need to be tweaked.