2022 World Cup: England's predicted XI from 2017 hasn't aged well

England’s XI for the 2022 World Cup out in Qatar will be predicted by many over the next couple of months.

We’re now tantalisingly close to the latest edition of sport’s biggest tournament, which means fans and pundits alike will be weighing in with their opinions on who Gareth Southgate should field for the Three Lions’ first group game against Iran.

It’s always tough making such predictions, especially when you’re making them five years before the tournament actually kicks off.

But that’s exactly what The Mirror attempted in 2017. The publication named the ‘brilliant’ England XI for the 2022 World Cup and unsurprisingly, it hasn’t aged well.

Let’s run through their prediction…

Okay, not the worst start. Pickford is currently England’s number one goalkeeper thanks to his fine form at Everton and has previously shined for his country at major tournaments, Euro 2020 in particular.

Injuries have curtailed Gomez’s career at both club and international level. The versatile defender has 11 England caps to his name, but hasn’t represented the Three Lions since 2020 and will likely miss out on a spot in Southgate’s World Cup squad.

Fry was a regular in England’s youth teams, however, he’s yet to make the step up to senior level. The giant centre-back is also hasn’t played a single game in the Premier League, having spent the vast majority of his career at Boro – aside from a short loan spell at Rotherham.

Like Fry, Latibeaudiere is yet to make an appearance in the Premier League, however, he does have an international cap to his name for Jamaica after switching allegiances earlier this year. The former Manchester City man may become a regular with the ‘Reggae Boyz’ in the near future.

Not the worst shout to be fair.