GARETH SOUTHGATE has named his 26-man England squad for the World Cup – and he has picked James Maddison.Meanwhile, Uruguay have also named their World Cup squads, with Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani in for the South Americans.
In a surprising turn of events, Bayern Munich forward Sadio Mane has made the Senegal squad despite being a major doubt after picking up an injury in the Bundesliga.
And Belgium have named their tournament picks, naming both Eden and Thorgan Hazard, as well as Manchester City star Kevin de Bruyne.
As for Germany, Marco Reus has been forced to miss his FOURTH tournament due to injury as the Dortmund midfielder’s curse starts again.
The big tournament kicks off in just 10 days.
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Stay tuned with all the latest ahead of the tournament…
Potential England XI at WC
Former Three Lions boss Glenn Hoddle has revealed his preferred England XI at the World Cup.
The pundit believes Gareth Southgate should stick with a 3-4-3 system, with some interesting player selections.
Luke Shaw is at left centre-back, with Bukayo Saka at wing-back.
And Hoddle also believes James Maddison should start ahead of Raheem Sterling, Mason Mount and Jack Grealish in attack.
Hudson-Odoi rejects World Cup offer
Callum Hudson-Odoi has rejected the chance to play for Ghana at the World Cup.
The Chelsea winger is on loan at Bayer Leverkusen and shining in the Bundesliga.
The Blues academy graduate is eligible to play for Ghana, who booked their place at the tournament in March after drawing 1-1 with Nigeria.
Hudson-Odoi was reportedly considering switching his international allegiance from England to Ghana in order to play at the World Cup.
Hudson-Odoi has three senior Three Lions caps but can still switch as they all took place before he turned 21.
Spain announce World Cup squad
Spain have left out legendary defender Sergio Ramos and goalkeeper David De Gea out of their World Cup squad.
The 36-year-old Paris Saint-Germain star Ramos has won 180 caps and is his country’s most-capped player in history.
But national boss Luis Enrique decided there was no place for the veteran or Manchester United stopper De Gea on the flight to Qatar next week.
Liverpool midfielder Thiago also misses out having last appeared for his country at the Euros in 2021.
But Chelsea’s Cesar Azpilicueta and Manchester City duo Aymeric Laporte and Rodri both made the cut.
And Brentford and Brighton goalies David Raya and Robert Sanchez also got picked.
Van Gaal gets squad shock
Netherlands boss Louis van Gaal has revealed he caught some of his players “naked” on FaceTime when telling them they had not made his World Cup squad.
Speaking in his announcement press conference, he said: “It’s not easy dropping someone.
“I spent 1 hour and 45 minutes Facetiming the 11 players this morning. It wasn’t easy.
“I also took into account the time difference with the English players. I saw some naked players because they were still in bed.”
Newcastle pair tipped to succeed
Glenn Hoddle has backed England’s Newcastle duo to perform well at the World Cup.
Callum Wilson was a surprise choice for some but the former England gaffer is confident he will excel.
Hoddle told Betfair: “I’m pleased that Callum Wilson has gone, that was a big choice for me, having him second to Kane ahead of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Ivan Toney and Tammy Abraham.
“Wilson player can score goals and he can come in and play with Kane if you need two up front. Wilson could also lead the line as he does for Newcastle. That’s a really good attribute for the squad.
“Kieran Trippier has had a good season. Newcastle has been an excellent move for him. They have been the team that’s surprised a lot of people this season and they’re brimming with confidence.”
North-East hotbed for talent
Being born in Northumberland gives you the strongest chance of playing for the England team in a major tournament, according to new research looking at the birthplace of every England player.
The study, conducted by BonusCodeBets, analysed the birthplace of every player to represent the Three Lions at a World Cup or European Championships since they last lifted a major men’s trophy in 1966, finding the county to have the highest number of players relevant to its population.
England legend Peter Beardsley, as well as World Cup winning brothers Bobby and Jack Charlton are amongst those to have been born in the area.
Greater London has had the most call-ups over the last 56 years with 44, compared to Northumberland’s seven.
But since London’s population is vastly bigger than Northumberland it has had 202,455 per call-up, compared to Northumberland’s 45,571.
Coady focused on Everton success
Conor Coady has dismissed claims international players will be distracted during the final weekend of Premier League action before the World Cup.
The centre-back has told talkSPORT that giving his all for Everton is ‘the most important thing’ despite the looming trip to Qatar.
He said: “This is the difficult part – obviously we’ve had such a high today getting told you’re in the squad, but we’ve now got to focus on Saturday.
“Obviously we want to win the game, and hopefully we’ll be top before the break, but the next thing will be meeting up on Monday morning and then we fly to Qatar on Tuesday.
“So with this sort of break there’s not much time to prepare for the first game, so I think it’s sort of all-go as soon as we meet up on the Monday morning.”
James Maddison has Hoddle backing
Former England manager Glenn Hoddle is delighted that Leicester star James Maddison is going to the World Cup.
He told Betfair: “I’m very, very pleased to see that James Maddison will be going to the World Cup. There were a few whispers coming out in the last couple of days that he wasn’t going to go, but that wasn’t true and I’m very pleased to see that he’s in.
“He’s a top player in top form. It’s strange because we’re right in the middle of a season and I think it’s positive that players who are in really good form at the moment are going straight into the World Cup.
“There’s only a week before it starts, which is quite ridiculous in many ways, but it’s good if you’re playing well.
“Maddison has been one of the players of the season so far with his assists, goals and the way he plays and creates. We’ve got a lot of players of a similar ilk really, and that’s why I thought Gareth may possibly leave him out, but I’m glad to see him in the squad.”
All set for winter World Cup
The winter World Cup has been brought to life in Paddy Power’s Christmas advert.
The ad stars former England star Peter Crouch and remembers Zinedine Zidane’s infamous headbutt in 2006 in the form of Christmas lights.
It also shows a recreation of Nigel de Jong’s famous kung-fu kick foul on Xabi Alonso in the 2010 final, by way of charades.
Rooney tips Bellingham to shine
Wayne Rooney has backed Jude Bellingham to shine at the World Cup after getting a Championship bruising from him.
Bellingham went toe-to-toe with England’s all-time top scorer back in 2020 as Rooney’s Derby beat Birmingham 3-1.
Rooney, 37, said: “I played against Bellingham when he was at Birmingham and I was playing for Derby.
“He marked me and was only about 16. What I really liked about him is when I passed the ball off he would leave a stud on me and I remember thinking he had something about him.”
Netherlands leave out three stars
Newcastle defender Sven Botman is a surprise omission from the Netherlands squad for the World Cup.
Red Devils midfielder Donny van de Beek also misses out as his Old Trafford woes continue.
Bayern Munich midfielder Ryan Gravenberch is a third big name to have been omitted from the squad.
But three Dutch Premier stars have secured their plane tickets to Qatar.
Liverpool ace Virgil van Dijk is national team captain, while Manchester City defender Nathan Ake and United summer signing Tyrell Malacia are also included.
Wilshere names preferred England team
Former Three Lions midfielder Jack Wilshere has named his England team for their opening World Cup game against Iran.
The ex-Arsenal ace showed favourtism towards the Gunners by Aaron Ramsdale ahead of regular No1 Jordan Pickford.
And he continues the Arsenal theme at centre-back, selecting Gunners man Ben White ahead of both John Stones AND Harry Maguire.
He rounds off the defence with Eric Dier, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Luke Shaw.
Wilshere has gone with a 4-2-3-1 formation, picking Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham to sit in front of the defence, with Phil Foden chosen as the number 10.
He then went for a front three of Bukayo Saka, Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane.
Carragher advises Southgate to quit
Jamie Carragher has told Gareth Southgate to quit as England manager after the World Cup – whatever happens in Qatar.
Speaking in his column for The Telegraph, the Liverpool legend said: “If I was Gareth Southgate, I would make the Qatar World Cup my swansong as England manager.
“Hopefully England will produce to a strong enough level to ensure that it is Southgate’s call.
“After his excellence in the job to this point, the least he deserves is to leave on his own terms when he feels the time is right.
“He is intelligent enough to have sensed a mood shift over the last few months, even if some of the negativity surrounding him during the build-up to the tournament is a joke.”
Rooney names his England team
Wayne Rooney has revealed his England XI for the World Cup… and there a couple of shocks in there.
Rooney has decided to go with a 4-2-3-1 formation despite the possibility of Gareth Southgate opting for a back three to give England some extra solidity in defence.
There were no shocks when it came to the keeper, with the ex-Everton striker selecting Jordan Pickford in between the sticks.
He then picked Man Utd duo Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire in the back line, along with John Stones and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Rooney picked a midfield trio of Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips with Jude Bellginham operating in the number 10 role.
He has then gone with Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka ahead of Raheem Sterling as the two wide players, with Harry Kane leading the line.
Gallagher compared to England great
England midfielder Conor Gallagher has been likened to the legendary Frank Lampard and hailed as a “game-changer” by Jermaine Jenas.
Speaking to BBC MOTD, Jenas said: “I had a feeling that he might sneak in there you know. I had a feeling, he’s a goal threat.
“He reminds me a lot of Lampard and also he [Gareth Southgate] likes to promote from within.
“In that midfield area I can imagine he was deliberating between James Ward-Prowse, someone who is a bit more reliable and a great set-piece taker but then Gallagher just offers you something else.
“I think he is a game-changer aswell Conor Gallagher. He’s the type of player that you bring on and he has an impact on the game.
“He presses, gets himself in the box and creates chances.”
Mane going to World Cup
Sadio Mane has been included in Senegal’s squad for the World Cup.
The Bayern Munich star picked up an injury on Tuesday but Senegal are risking his inclusion in the hope he passes fit to play.
Chelsea stars Edouard Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly do make the squad as the African champions prepare for games against Qatar, Ecuador and the Netherlands.
Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye has also been selected along with Watford star Ismaila Sarr.
Nottingham Forest’s Cheikhou Kouyate and Leicester midfielder Nampalys Mendy are also involved.
Gabriel Martinelli call-up slammed
Gabriel Martinelli’s inclusion in the Brazil World Cup squad has been branded a “joke” by former Brazil midfielder Neto, who felt Flamengo star Gabriel Barbosa should have been selected instead.
He said: “This is a shame, a joke. I feel ashamed.
What is Martinelli’s story? 33 career goals. This is a shame, a lack of respect for football. Doing this with football shows that you don’t deserve the position you are in.
“Calling up Martinelli and not calling up Gabigol [Barbosa] is a lack of respect.
“The biggest shame of all the call-ups. Calling up Martinelli shows that you, Tite, shouldn’t hold the position you do, because you’re not fair to Gabigol.”
Schmeichel disappointed with Jadon Sancho
Man Utd legend Peter Schmeichel doesn’t think Jadon Sancho has “done enough” after missing out on the England squad for the World Cup.
He said: “I don’t think he’s done enough.
“I’m a little bit disappointed with the talent that he has, and yes it’s difficult to come to Old Trafford with that price-tag, I understand that.
“But he’s shown that he can do whatever he did at Borussia Dortmund, he just hasn’t done it enough.”
Butcher pinpoints reason for success
Former England captain Terry Butcher feels Gareth Southgate’s squad can make the most of any low expectations as they bid to enjoy a successful World Cup campaign in Qatar.
He told the Press Association: “I look at 2018 in Russia, the expectation level before that tournament was very, very low.
“England went into that tournament not really expecting to win it, not really expecting to do brilliantly well, so because the expectation levels were low, it was an unexpected success, like in 1990 for us, and obviously 2021 as well with the Euros final.
“But the expectation level here now is low because of the results this year – and it is results which bring everybody along on that bus and which make everybody special.”
Ramsdale buzzing for England mate
Aaron Ramsdale has discussed his World Cup dream while revealing his delight at Arsenal team-mate Ben White being called up.
He said: “The World Cup is a dream for any boy – none more so than me from Stoke on Trent
“I’ve worked my whole life to get here after watching so many tournaments and seeing players compete. It is such a privilege to be selected for this country. Now it’s time to graft even more.”
“I found out today at about ten to 12, we got a text from Emily, our player liaison. I actually found out that Ben was in the group first and we were all buzzing for him and it kind of filtered through that me and Bukayo were in as well.
“The first reaction was we were just buzzing for Ben White. He’s been really impressive, right-back is not his main position but it’s one which he’s excelling in at the moment.”
Gazza warns England must gel
Paul Gascoigne hopes the England players will gel as a team at the World Cup – rather than just counting on one of them to make the difference in Qatar.
Gazza told PA: “We have got some quality players there (in the squad), but we are talking now individual players.
“You have got to look at a team player – I was fortunate, because in 1990 and then at Euro 96, we were a team. Today’s teams have got quite a few individual players, but it is whether you gel together, that is more important than anything else.
“In 1990, I was so proud of the players that didn’t play because when we scored, they were all up celebrating, there was nobody who sulked if they were not playing – some of them went there and never got a game, but they were still behind us, which is what the players are going to need more than anything.
“So I was fortunate to be amongst all them and they just let me get on and enjoy myself, and of course Bobby Robson was a brilliant manager.”
Uruguay announce World Cup squad
Uruguay have confirmed their 26-man squad featuring three Premier League stars ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Liverpool’s record-signing Darwin Nunez is one of the star names included in a stacked attacking line-up selected by manager Oscar Tabarez.
The former Benfica striker is also joined by two of Premier League stars including Tottenham midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur and Manchester United youngster Facundo Pellistri.
Pellistri is the surprise name selected from the Premier League, given that he has failed to make a single competitive appearance for the Red Devils.
Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani have also been selected for their fourth World Cups.
Grealish posts England throwback pic
Jack Grealish posted an epic throwback picture as he celebrated his World Cup call-up.
And the 27-year-old made no secret of his joy and excitement at being selected for the Middle East showpiece as he took to Twitter yesterday.
Grealish firstly tweeted a video made up of childhood photos and videos of himself that showed his progression from a young boy to his present day status as a Premier League winner and Three Lions international.
He captioned it with: “Dream come true. I’m just a kid from Solihull who’s going to a World Cup with England.
“I remember going into school early to watch England vs Brazil in 2002, my first ever World Cup I can remember… to think 20 years later I’d be playing at one blows my mind…”
Rio Ferdinand raises Maguire questions
Rio Ferdinand has urged Gareth Southgate to drop Manchester United captain Harry Maguire ahead of the England’s World Cup campaign.
The former United defender believes that Southgate has better options to choose from going into the tournament.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Ferdinand said, “Walker would start for me at centre-half, but he’s not fit.
“Will he make it? I don’t know. John Stones would be the first name on the team sheet.
“And I’ll be honest I just can’t pick who else it’s going to be, it’s that difficult. Will you play Harry Maguire who hasn’t played any games? I think you need to playing week in, week out.”
Fifa impose ban on Denmark
Fifa have rejected Denmark’s request to train at the World Cup in shirts with the words “human rights for all” on them.
The Danish Football Association (DBU) said in 2021 that their two training kit sponsors would make way for messages critical of Qatar.
And they also pledged to minimise the number of trips to the country to avoid commercial activities promoting the World Cup hosts’ events.
But DBU chief executive Jakob Jensen said: “We have today got a message from FIFA that the training shirts our players were to train in, where it would say ‘human rights for all’ at the stomach (of the shirt), have been rejected due to technical reasons, which is regrettable.”
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