As expected, Borussia Dortmund’s football star Jude Bellingham is part of the 26-man squad for World Cup favorites England. This was announced by national coach Gareth Southgate.
The 19-year-old Bellingham is said to play an important role in the central midfield of the European Vice-Champions at the World Cup in Qatar (November 20th to December 18th).
Former Dortmund player Jadon Sancho is not part of the squad, which also includes world-class players such as captain Harry Kane, Phil Foden and Raheem Sterling. The Manchester United winger has not featured prominently in the past 12 months and has not made the squad either.
In addition to captain Kane and shooting star Bellingham, defender John Stones is also a key player. England have been playing in a 3-4-2-1 system with Kane as the only striker lately.
“We wanted to keep a good balance. We also had to nominate players who are not yet at 100 percent. We think we’ve covered everything well so far,” said Southgate at the association’s headquarters in Burton-upon-Trent.
Offensive player James Maddison, who impressed in the Premier League for Leicester City and could play for the “Three Lions” for the first time since autumn 2019, also made the leap into the squad. Striker Marcus Rashford is also nominated. The injury-related out of the full-backs Reece James and Ben Chilwell was previously certain.
England meets Iran, USA and Wales in Group B. A place in the round of sixteen is a must.