England's squad numbers for the World Cup have been named which could provide hints - or not - to Gareth Southgate's starting XI.
All 26 members of the squad have been handed a number that they will wear throughout the tournament as England aim to improve on their 2018 showing, where they reached the semi-finals. The squad were snapped together for the first time after convening at their St George's Park base.
Southgate has overseen plenty of change in that period with new names now pushing for starting roles. The Three Lions boss will play down the importance of squad numbers, but eight of the eleven who started in the Euro 2020 final loss to Italy last summer were wearing numbers between 1-11. Mason Mount, Kalvin Phillips and Kieran Trippier wore 19, 14 and 12 respectively.
Harry Kane, Declan Rice, John Stones and Jordan Pickford are firmly expected to start for England in their opener against Iran next week and have all been handed conventional starting XI numbers. We take a look at numbers 1-26 to see if we can pick up any hints ahead of the tournament.
1. Maguire's redemption
Much of the talk leading into the World Cup from an English point of view is just can Southgate justify starting a man in Harry Maguire who isn't starting for his club and was poor in the latest round of international matches. Yet the Manchester United man has been handed No 6 shirt.
Maguire has been a favourite during Southgate's regime, starting regularly for the Three Lions in major tournaments. His lack of minutes has seen many question his suitability as a starter but, if the numbers are anything to go by, he and John Stones will be the preferred duo in defence.
2. The number's debunked
Having said all that, one man who is seen as a dead cert to start in the opening game and beyond is one Jude Bellingham. The Borussia Dortmund star has continued to flourish in Germany and, despite his tender age, is tipped to star alongside Declan Rice in the middle of the park.
Yet the teenager has been handed No 22 shirt, which would suggest a squad role. Last summer it was Ben White who wore that number - and he was a late inclusion in the squad. Bellingham's figure suggests that, whilst the numbers are always a strong indicator, they are not the be all and end all.
3. The wildcards
Callum Wilson, James Maddison and Conor Gallagher were arguably the three members of the squad who, several months ago, would've missed out and are not seen by many as potential starters. Gallagher especially was a surprise inclusion, whilst the other two have perhaps profited from the squad sizes being increased from 23 to 26.
It seems appropriate then that they have been given the numbers from 24 to 26. The clamour to have Maddison in the squad increased with every performance for Leicester, but there are still questions about how he's incorporated into the starting XI. Wilson meanwhile is very much the forward who is least likely to feature.
4. Trent on the outskirts
It is either the Liverpool man or Kieran Trippier who will start in England's opener and the latter, who has long been a favourite under Southgate, will get the nod if the squad numbers are anything to go by. He will wear 12 with Trent Alexander-Arnold donning the No 18.
The more telling hint is Kyle Walker being given the No 2 despite still striving for full fitness. The Manchester City man suffered an injury and is battling to be ready for the tournament, but the expectation is he would still go straight into the XI if - and when - he is fit due to his ability to cover right-back as well as centre-half.
5. Hendo's role
The Liverpool man only featured sporadically at the Euros last summer as Rice and Phillips commanded the central midfield roles. That said, Henderson's character and leadership quality have struck a cord with Southgate and he remains a crucial figure. Henderson has played in a struggling Liverpool side this term, with their midfield criticised, yet giving him the No 8 shirt highlights how integral he is expected to be to the group.
Few fans or pundits expect the 32-year-old to start, such is the quality ahead of him, whilst the former Sunderland man has found himself struggling with injuries at times. But Maguire on the periphery and lacking in confidence, Henderson's leadership role may become even more important in Qatar.
