England World Cup 2022 squad: Who’s on the plane, who’s in contention and who has work to do?

England’s competitive preparations are over with little time before Gareth Southgate selects his squad for this winter’s World Cup in Qatar.

Southgate’s 28-man selection for the September internationals contained few surprises and the manager again largely stuck with his trusted core for the defeat against Italy in Milan and draw with Germany at Wembley, the last two matches before the tournament in November.

The Three Lions will be aiming to go one better than they did at Euro 2022 last summer and win their first major international tournament in 56 years in Qatar.

Southgate’s side will play Iran, the United States and Wales in Group B and hope to build on the steady progress of recent years.

Here, The Independent takes a look at who could make the final cut...

On the plane

Harry Kane

The England captain is certain of his place and on the verge of becoming his country’s all-time leading international goalscorer. Kane is three behind the current record of 53 and will want to surpass Wayne Rooney in Qatar.

Raheem Sterling

Playing regularly again since his £47.5m move to Chelsea, his importance to the current England set-up has never come into question. Between them, Sterling and Kane have scored more than a third of the goals during Southgate’s reign.

Declan Rice

Still just 23-years-old, Rice is one of the best young midfielders in Europe and his importance at international level has grown immeasurably in a short time, to the point where he is practically undroppable. Badly missed in the 4-0 defeat to Hungary in June.

Jordan Pickford

Ruled out of September’s internationals by a thigh injury, allowing Southgate to look at other goalkeeping options, but they are unlikely to oust Pickford as No 1. Questions over his form have subsided since Euro 2020 and the start of last season.

Mason Mount

Hailed by Southgate during the summer for his attitude when playing out of possession, Mount offers everything the England manager wants from one of his attacking players except goals. At least his strike in the 3-3 draw with Germany ended a 16-game drought at international level, at least.

Phil Foden

Foden is England’s brightest young talent and destined to be a key figure in the years to come but needs to nail down a position and tactical role. That might have happened already but illness and injury has prevented Southgate from playing him regularly.

Bukayo Saka

Still only 20-years-old but mature beyond his years, Saka is a popular and trusted member of the current group. His versatility down both the left and right flank is handy for a manager who likes to chop and change systems.

Jude Bellingham

Another old head on young shoulders, Bellingham’s youth is arguably the only thing holding him back from a guaranteed place alongside Rice in midfield. It’s only a matter of time until he starts regularly. The question is whether that time is now.

Kieran Trippier

One of Southgate’s favourites, his ability on set-pieces is a unique selling point over his rivals for the right-back berth. Able to cover on the left if needed, as he did at the Euros, and another with valuable major tournament experience.

John Stones

No longer playing as regularly as he was at club level before Euro 2020, when he won back his international place after a couple of years in the wilderness, but he is still getting enough minutes to suggest he will not only travel but start in Qatar.

Nearly there…

Harry Maguire

Not a regular starter for Manchester United under Erik ten Hag but a combination of England’s lack of depth at centre-half, little time to bed in new players and Southgate’s trust in Maguire’s ability is likely to earn him a place on the plane.

Luke Shaw

Looked at risk earlier this season but won his place back in the United line-up following the 6-3 derby defeat last month and is beginning to rediscover his form of two seasons ago. Chilwell’s injury troubles mean Shaw is likely to be England’s starting left-back in Qatar.

Jordan Henderson

Henderson was a late call-up to the September squad after recovering from a hamstring problem and, injury permitting, should travel as one of the squad’s elder statesmen. Far from certain of a starting spot if he gets there, though.

Jack Grealish

Still waiting for lift off at the Etihad but Southgate’s reservations over Grealish as a player seem to be a thing of the past. A different profile of wide forward compared to England’s other, more direct options.

Aaron Ramsdale

Ramsdale is likely to start these Nations League games in Pickford’s absence and can be considered England’s second-choice goalkeeper after establishing himself with Arsenal last season, though some erratic tendencies still need to be ironed out.

Nick Pope

Still a top-flight goalkeeper after swapping relegated Burnley for Newcastle, but Pope would likely have remained as one of Southgate’s three even if he had dropped down a division. When it comes to starting, his hesitancy with the ball at his feet counts against him.

Eric Dier

September’s recall perhaps should not be a surprise. Southgate conceded he had been harsh to leave Dier out of the summer squad after a strong end to the season with Tottenham and noted how he “fits in with the culture” upon his return.

In contention

Kyle Walker

Walker’s experience, recovery pace and ability to play on the right of a back three would make him a shoo-in for selection in normal circumstances. However, surgery on an injured groin six weeks out from the tournament will have him and his manager sweating on his availability.

Kalvin Phillips

Phillips’ summer move to City was always likely to result in him playing second fiddle to Rodri. Factor in some injury misfortune and his starting spot with England suddenly does not look so secure. Shoulder surgery in September means he is unlikely to have played much football before travelling.

Trent Alexander-Arnold

With greater scrutiny on his defensive ability than ever before, Alexander-Arnold still feels at risk of missing out on the final cut. Walker and James’ injuries may offer a route into the squad via the backdoor but being left out of the matchday squad for the draw with Germany was an ominous sign.

Marcus Rashford

Rashford would have been included in September’s squad and ended a year-long international exodus had he avoided picking up a minor muscle injury in United’s win over Arsenal. Southgate has seen “encouraging signs” in his recent form. A recall could be on the cards.

Tammy Abraham

Abraham has led the race to provide cover for Kane for most of this year after a strong debut season in Serie A. With strength, speed and hold up play, he is a full package and has one of the squad’s better records from the penalty spot too, but is facing competition for the spot.

Fikayo Tomori

Won his place back after lifting a Scudetto with Milan and did not disgrace himself in June’s goalless draw against his adopted nation Italy. Dier’s return is a threat to his chances, with Southgate admitting he has close calls to make at centre-half.

Marc Guéhi

Third consecutive call-up since debuting in March, Guéhi being part of the defence that shipped four against Hungary has not done him any harm. Lack of experience could count against him in the final analysis but Southgate is clearly a fan.

Conor Coady

Coady was one of the only members of the Euros squad not to play a minute, yet his importance to the dressing room led assistant Steve Holland to name him England’s player of the tournament. Unlikely to threaten for a starting spot, all the same.

James Ward-Prowse

More than just a set-piece taker and could benefit from a shortage of midfield depth. Southgate’s captain during their days together at Under-21 level but that did not stop him from being the final player cut from the provisional Euro 2020 squad.

Ivan Toney

Five goals in six games to start the campaign with Brentford earned Toney a deserved call-up but not a first cap. An almost immaculate penalty-taking record over the course of his career - scored 24, missed just one - is useful.

Callum Wilson

The Newcastle striker has found form just at the right time, while two goals in front of Southgate in the 4-0 win over Aston Villa will do his chances no harm at all. Wilson has reportedly made the initial 55-man preliminary squad and has seemingly done all he can to earn a first call-up since 2019.

Jarrod Bowen

Back in the goals for a West Ham attack that is finding its feet again. Improvement needed but Southgate liked what he saw during the summer and would not have kept Bowen around if he did not have a chance of making Qatar.

Benjamin White

Left out having started the season playing at right-back for Arsenal, with England already heavily stocked in that position - although injuries to Walker and James may help. Remains to be seen where his future lies following the emergence of William Saliba at club level.

Work to do

Reece James

One of the few players to come out of the summer’s Nations League games with any credit. James is an able defender but with explosive potential going forward as a right wing-back but injury heartbreak in the San Siro had badly affected his chance. Still, James has not given up hope on making it to Qatar just yet.

Ben Chilwell

Arguably offers something England’s other full-backs lack: a genuine consistent goal threat, but a hamstring injury suffered in a Champions League dead-rubber means his hopes of a place are in danger.

Jadon Sancho

Omitted once again in September when playing regularly under Erik ten Hag and now has dropped off the boil again. Reputation as one of the world’s most exciting young players would suggest the door is not fully closed but a late run looks very unlikely.

Dean Henderson

Recalled in Pickford’s absence. Playing regularly again after a “wasted” year at United, the Nottingham Forest goalkeeper has a chance of challenging Ramsdale and Pope for a place on the plane but is fourth in the queue for now.

Conor Gallagher

Dropped from the summer squad after the end of his Crystal Palace loan saw a return to Chelsea, where he struggled to find a suitable role in Thomas Tuchel’s system. Needs a new start under Graham Potter to play his way back into contention.

Tyrone Mings

Once ever-present in the squad and a Southgate favourite, mixed form at club level and a poor end to last season seem to have dropped him down the pecking order. His left-footedness remains an asset compared to other centre-back options.

Ryan Sessegnon

As a wing-back playing for Antonio Conte, Sessegnon has had to cope with being heavily rotated, but his displays have been impressive enough. Chilwell’s unfortunate injury and a lack of left-back depth could count in his favour.

Ollie Watkins

Watkins’ advantage over Calvert-Lewin is that he has at least been playing regularly but Toney’s call-up and Wilson’s form only makes a return more unlikely. Southgate appears to have moved towards a more traditional profile of centre-forward.

Outside bets

James Maddison

Shown consistency since the second half of last season but still has just one England cap to his name, coming some three years ago. The latest cause célèbre but Southgate usually sticks to his guns. Maddison can only hope that the next tournament cycle brings a fresh start.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Comfortably ahead of the competition to be Kane’s backup following the Euros but a combination of injury and indifferent form have allowed others to move ahead of him in the queue. Yet to play this season. Time is against him.

James Justin

Justin became the latest full-back called up in the summer but suffered a difficult debut in Hungary, was substituted through injury at half time, then withdrew from the squad. Another who almost certainly has to look beyond the World Cup before he can consider a recall.

Harvey Elliott

Southgate’s reluctance to introduce new players shortly before the start of tournaments counts against Elliott, who has taken the opportunity presented by Liverpool’s midfield problems and ran with it, but this World Cup has probably come too soon.

Tyrick Mitchell

Waiting to be recalled since being handed his first caps in March’s friendlies against Switzerland and Cote d’Ivoire, but Southgate only spoke well of his performances and presence around the camp. Struggled for form with Palace this season.

Eberechi Eze

Deployed centrally by Patrick Vieira this season and in form, Eze potentially offers Southgate a different sort of skill set in midfield but has probably left it too late to push for a place. Would have been part of the provisional Euro 2020 squad if not for an Achilles injury.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek

Has experience under Southgate and is enjoying a good run of games under Potter at Chelsea. His versatility could appeal, too, as a box-to-box midfielder, given the injury doubts in that position, and a possible wing-back. Reportedly named in Southgate’s initial 55-man preliminary squad.

England’s predicted 26-man World Cup squad

Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale, Nick Pope

Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Eric Dier, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, John Stones, Fikayo Tomori, Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker, Benjamin White

Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Jordan Henderson, Mason Mount, Kalvin Phillips, Declan Rice, James Ward-Prowse

Forwards: Tammy Abraham, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, Raheem Sterling, Ivan Toney