England World Cup 2022 squad: Who’s on the plane, who’s in contention and who has work to do?

England will be aiming to go one better than last year and win their first major international tournament in 56 years at the World Cup in Qatar.

Gareth Southgate’s side will play the United States, Iran and the winner of Sunday’s play-off between Wales and Ukraine in the group stages.

This month’s Nations League fixtures against Hungary, Germany and Italy provide Southgate with a valuable opportunity to assess his options ahead of the tournament, which begins in November.

It is yet to be confirmed whether squad sizes will be expanded to 26 players, up from the usual 23, but in line with last summer’s European Championship.

Here, The Independent takes a look at who could be included in Southgate’s final selection...

Harry Kane

The England captain and soon to be his country’s all-time leading international goalscorer too. Kane is four goals behind the current record of 53 and will hope to have surpassed Wayne Rooney by the time the World Cup comes around.

Raheem Sterling

Far from a regular in Manchester City’s starting line-up but, along with Kane, Sterling is one of the cornerstones of Southgate’s England. It is hard to see him missing out, even if he only continues to start now and then at club level.

Declan Rice

Rice is one of the best young midfielders in Europe and a mainstay of this England side. Excellent as a substitute in the friendly win over Switzerland in March, though questions remain over whether he can play as a lone holding midfielder.

Jordan Pickford

Questions over whether Pickford would retain his place in the event of Everton’s potential relegation ignored two points: he was still one of their best players this past season and he has never let England down. Southgate’s No 1 for the foreseeable future.

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