Gareth Southgate is set to announce his 26-man England squad ahead at 2pm on Thursday ahead of the final Premier League fixtures before the scheduled break. The manager has had a difficult choice to make both because of the quality of the options available to him but also because of injuries.
He will choose these names from the provisional 55-man squad he collated a few weeks ago, but unlike some other associations, Southgate chose not to release the list to the public. But we can make assumptions about who will be part of the team based off past squads.
Manchester United and Manchester City will be well represented as expected. But other teams will and should have their own representatives in the squad.
So who will be heading to Qatar as part of the England squad and who will miss out? The Manchester Evening News has had a go at predicting the final 26 names.
Goalkeepers
Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope and Aaron Ramsdale
Probably the easiest position to predict. Jordan Pickford has been Southgate's undisputed number-one for a number of years now and this will likely continue in Qatar.
In terms of the two keepers that will support him, Newcastle's Nick Pope and Arsenal's Aaron Ramsdale are likely to find themselves with a seat on the plane. Dean Henderson was probably hoping to make a late claim for a spot when he went on loan to Nottingham Forest from United this summer, but he is unlikely to make the cut.
Defenders
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker, Harry Maguire, John Stones, Eric Dier, Fikayo Tomori, Luke Shaw and Tyrick Mitchell
Given Reece James' injury, it seems incredibly likely that despite the recent discourse over his place with England, Alexander-Arnold will head to the World Cup. Though you would expect that Trippier will start over him.
Maguire has likely done just enough to retain his place and while many England fans will groan at the prospect of Eric Dier, it seems that Southgate values his versatility and given Kalvin Phillip's fitness is yet to be confirmed, he could fill in as a defensive midfielder. Tomori is a little less likely than the other options, but he deserves to be there and if Walker will be fit at some point during the tournament, Southgate will want him there.
My only wild shout is Mitchell, who has been impressive for Crystal Palace this season. Given Ben Chilwell's injury there is a spot behind Shaw to fill and although Buyako Saka can play there, Southgate prefers him on the right wing.
Midfielders
Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Mason Mount, Phil Foden, Jordan Henderson, James Maddison and Kalvin Phillips
The midfield pretty much picks itself though there are a few names that could change. Maddison has been in great form in a struggling Leicester side and should go given the circumstances.
Phillips is a 50/50 choice. He formed a formidable partnership with Rice and you would expect him to be nailed on, but he has been injured for the majority of the season so far and therefore will lack sharpness going into an important tournament; Southgate therefore may choose to replace him.
Forwards
Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, Ivan Toney, Raheem Sterling, Jack Grealish and Callum Wilson
Rashford has done enough to be recalled to the England squad and given his spot was taken by Jarrod Bowen in the last international break who has failed to impress so far for West Ham, he should be guaranteed a spot.
Then it comes down to which strikers will back-up Kane. Tammy Abraham has often played this role in the past but his form this season hasn't been up to scratch, so if England wants to take two in-form forwards then Toney and Wilson are the players that Southgate should select.
Who would be in your squad? Have a go at selecting the England squad using the tool below:
