Maddison, Wilson inclusions surprise as England announce World Cup squad |

Southgate has named Leicester City midfielder James Maddison and Newcastle United forward Callum Wilson in his final 26-man World Cup squad, despite neither having played for England since 2019.

Maddison’s resurgent club form, which has seen him score six goals and provide four assists in 12 Premier League games for the Foxes, has resulted in his long-awaited return to the Three Lions’ set-up.

30-year-old Wilson has also scored six times this season amid Newcastle’s flying start to the Premier League season, which sees them currently sitting in third on the table ahead of Tottenham, Manchester United, Brighton and Chelsea.

Key omissions include forwards Ivan Toney (Brentford), Tammy Abraham (AS Roma), Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United) and Jadon Sancho (Manchester United), midfielder James Ward-Prowse (Southampton) and defenders Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Fikayo Tomori (AC Milan) and Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), as well as injured Chelsea full-backs Reece James and Ben Chilwell.

Southgate has named Manchester City duo Kyle Walker and Kalvin Phillips in the squad despite their recent injuries and subsequent lack of game time, as well as Manchester United captain Harry Maguire despite his limited match fitness and selection troubles under Erik ten Hag, which has seen him appear in only four of United’s first 13 matches of the season.

Maguire was also notably responsible for two mistakes which directly led to England’s first two goals conceded in their 3-3 draw with Germany in the UEFA Nations League in September. Southgate defended his selection of the trio despite their fitness concerns.

“Harry is one of our best centre-backs,” he said.

“I think we know within the squad that we have a lot of players that have been to tournaments and performed at the level and know what is required.

“Kalvin played last night [for Man City against Chelsea in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup win] so I think with him, he is free of injury. We are aware that he’s not going to be able to play seven 90 minutes. That won’t be possible.

“We are going to have to build his fitness level, but he is available, free of injury and we don’t really have a lot of cover for that role in the country. Kalvin is a super player, and we feel that is a risk worth taking.

“Kyle’s a little bit different because he’s not back in full training yet, but he’s going to be available before the end of the group stage.”

Sky Sports News (UK) senior reporter Rob Dorsett described Southgate’s selection as ‘pragmatic’, in light of the fitness concerns surrounding Walker, Phillips and Maguire.

“When you look at the list of the players included, he’s [Ben White] one of four fit full-backs that he’s got in the squad,” he said.

“He’s also gone for Conor Gallagher to offer greater support and cover for Kalvin Phillips, who we know has played so little football for Man City this season after undergoing shoulder surgery. So, he needed that extra body in midfield.

“Looking at the squad in the round, Southgate’s been pragmatic in his approach to this.”

25 of Southgate’s 26 currently play in their native England, with 19-year-old Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham being the Three Lions’ sole representative from outside the Premier League.

England squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup

Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal), Nick Pope (Newcastle).

Defenders: Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Kyle Walker (Man City), Benjamin White (Arsenal), Harry Maguire (Man Utd), John Stones (Man City), Eric Dier (Tottenham), Conor Coady (Everton, on loan from Wolves), Luke Shaw (Man Utd).

Midfielders: Declan Rice (West Ham), Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Kalvin Phillips (Man City), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Mason Mount (Chelsea).

Forwards: Harry Kane (Tottenham), Callum Wilson (Newcastle), Marcus Rashford (Man Utd), Raheem Sterling (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Phil Foden (Man City), Jack Grealish (Man City), James Maddison (Leicester City).