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England Squad For World Cup 2022 Qualifiers Announced

England Squad For World Cup 2022 Qualifiers Announced

England face San Marino, Albania and Poland in their first qualifiers for the Qatar World Cup next November.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

Gareth Southgate has recalled Luke Shaw and Jesse Lingard to the England squad, for the first three 2022 World Cup qualifiers later this month.

England are less than three months from their opening fixture of the Euros, against Croatia at Wembley in June, but start their qualification for the Qatar World Cup next November later this month.

Southgate currently has a wealth of talent available to him but he hasn't been able to pick Jack Grealish, Harvey Barnes, James Maddison, Jordan Henderson or his first choice goalkeeper Jordan Pickford all through injury.

In their place Shaw and Lingard have been recalled due to their brilliant recent form, whilst Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins is the other surprise name, as he makes his first senior international squad.

Trent Alexander-Arnold's absence will certainly come as a shock to many, despite the Liverpool full back not having his best season.

Instead Kieran Trippier, fresh from his recent suspension, Kyle Walker and Chelsea's Reece James are available at right back, although Aaron Wan-Bissaka has once again missed out.

Watkins inclusion will also be a surprise to those who expected Leeds United forward Patrick Bamford to be called up.

Watkins has scored 10 Premier League goals this season. Image: PA Images
Watkins has scored 10 Premier League goals this season. Image: PA Images

With Pickford out injured, Nick Pope and Dean Henderson will be battling for the chance to become number one in the Everton player's absence.

West Brom goalkeeper Sam Johnstone is called up as the third goalkeeper in the squad.

Youngster Jude Bellingham was left out of the under 21 squad for the group stages of the U21 Euros, which also takes place at the end of this month.

However the 17-year-old was initially expected to miss out on the first team squad as it was thought Borussia Dortmund would stop him going on international duty due to the possibility of quarantining for 14 days.

His Dortmund teammate Jadon Sancho is another to have missed out through injury.

Bellingham has impressed for Dortmund. Image: PA Images
Bellingham has impressed for Dortmund. Image: PA Images

Bellingham could actually be part of that under 21 squad, and so could several other senior England players, with the potential squad for that age level team ridiculous.

Alexander-Arnold, Declan Rice, Phil Foden, Mason Mount, Sancho and Bukayo Saka are all regulars in Southgate's squads now but could still be playing for Aidy Boothroyd's team.

The under 21s' squad is so strong in fact that former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan believes that they would beat one of England's Euro 2020 opponents!

Talking on talkSPORT about Che Adams' decision to play for Scotland, Jordan claimed that Steve Clarke's team would lose to England under 21s.

Featured Image Credit: PA/FIFA

Topics: Football, England, Qatar 2022, Gareth Southgate, World Cup