Gary Lineker has hailed the inclusion of James Maddison in Gareth Southgate's 26-man England squad after the Three Lions boss finally confirmed his team for the World Cup party.
Maddison and Callum Wilson are the two surprise names on the plane after Southgate handed the in-form pair their first international call-ups in three years. With 11 days to go until the Three Lions kick-off their Group B campaign against Iran, the boss has announced the group that will be travelling to Qatar next week.
Southgate has largely stuck with the tried and tested, with the most eye-catching selections being Leicester attacking midfielder Maddison - who wasn't expected to make the squad - and Newcastle striker Wilson. Maddison’s only England cap came as a substitute against Montenegro in November 2019 – the last squad four-cap Wilson was involved in.
And Lineker, who supports Maddison's Leicester City, is one of the first high-profile names to give his verdict on the team. He tweeted: "Maddison is the best example of forcing yourself into a squad at the very last, by the sheer brilliance of your performances.
He added: "Congratulations to every player that has made the squad. Given the depth of excellence available, this in itself is a great achievement. Good luck to each and every one of you."
Elsewhere, there is a recall for Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford, whose last cap came in the Euro 2020 final loss to Italy. There is no space in Southgate’s Qatar selection for Roma striker Tammy Abraham, Brentford frontman Ivan Toney or West Ham forward Jarrod Bowen.
Manchester City pair Kyle Walker and Kalvin Phillips were included despite a lack of match fitness, while Manchester United captain Harry Maguire has been named in the squad despite his limited game time.
Versatile Arsenal defender Ben White has been brought into a group that has Luke Shaw as the only out-and-out left-back. Marc Guehi, Fikayo Tomori and Tyrone Mings are among those missing out. Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher made the cut but Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse again just missed out on a major tournament squad.
Full England squad for Qatar World Cup
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford ( Everton ), Nick Pope (Newcastle), Aaron Ramsdale ( Arsenal )
Defenders: Harry Maguire (Man Utd), John Stones (Man City), Kyle Walker (Man City), Luke Shaw (Man Utd), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Trent Alexander-Arnold ( Liverpool ), Eric Dier ( Tottenham ), Conor Coady (Everton), Ben White (Arsenal)
Midfielders: Declan Rice ( West Ham ), Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Mason Mount ( Chelsea ), Kalvin Phillips (Man City), James Maddison ( Leicester ), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea)
Attackers: Harry Kane (Tottenham), Phil Foden (Man City), Raheem Sterling (Chelsea), Marcus Rashford (Man Utd), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Jack Grealish (Man City), Callum Wilson (Newcastle)
*FREE England wall chart in this weekend's Sunday Mirror and People.
