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 summer and win their first major international tournament in 56 years at the World Cup in Qatar.

Gareth Southgate’s side will play Iran, the United States and Wales in Group B and hope to build on the progress of recent years.

This month’s Nations League fixtures provided Southgate with the opportunity to assess his options ahead of the tournament, which begins in November. The end-of-season international break went horribly for England, though, as they failed to win any of their four games and only scored once through a Harry Kane penalty.

The 4-0 defeat by Hungary which rounded the camp off was England’s biggest at home in 94 years, with Southgate admitting he did not find the right balance between experimentation and experience in his team selections.

Getting that balance right will be crucial in Qatar. It is expected that England will be able to select 26 players to go to Qatar, 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 squad...

Harry Kane

The England captain and soon to be his country’s all-time leading international goalscorer, too. Kane is three 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 was cited as one of the more ‘experienced’ players missing in the 4-0 defeat by Hungary despite being just 23 years old.