England squad announcement LIVE: Gareth Southgate makes tough decisions ahead of March fixtures
The England manager has made some big calls in his first squad since the World Cup
Gareth Southgate insists there was no reason not to include Ivan Toney in his England squad, despite a potential ban hanging over the player’s head. The in-form Brentford striker is in Southgate’s first squad since the World Cup quarter-final exit to France in December for Euro 2024 qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine this month.
But Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling, who missed his side’s 3-1 win at Leicester at the weekend, is ruled out of the opening qualifying matches due to injury. Toney is still waiting for a Football Association verdict after being charged with 262 breaches of FA gambling rules, with a lengthy suspension possible.
He missed out for the tournament in Qatar - having been in the squad for Nations League games against Germany and Italy in September without playing. Toney’s inclusion means Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, with six goals in his last seven games, misses out.
Manchester City right-back Kyle Walker, being investigated by police after allegedly exposing himself in a bar, is included in the 25-man squad. Along with Sterling, Ben White, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Conor Coady and Callum Wilson are absent having all gone to the World Cup.
Follow live updates as Gareth Southgate names his England squad .
Analysing a familiar-looking England squad
Overall, England’s squad will fairly familiar to fans. Southgate tends to stick with his favoured players, something that is often the source of discontent among fans mid-tournament.
Although Raheem Sterling is missing, Manchester United’s Harry Maguire has been included despite being limited to substitute appearances for his club.
Manchester City’s Kyle Walker is again included despite facing allegations that he exposed himself in a bar.
Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell is also included in the squad for the first time since November 2021.
Ivan Toney receives England call up but Trent Alexander-Arnold misses out
Toney has been included in the England squad to face Italy and Ukraine
The biggest omissions from the England squad
As with any squad announcement, there is intrigue and discussion over the players who have missed out this time round.
While Ivan Toney’s brilliant form has been rewarded with a place, long-time Southgate-favourite Raheem Sterling has missed out.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has also been omitted from the squad, with his form a constant talking point so far this season.
Other notable absentees include Arsenal’s Ben White, Brighton’s Solly March and AC Milan’s Fikayo Tomori.
The biggest omissions from Gareth Southgate’s England squad
The England manager has made some big calls ahead of qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine this month
Euro 2024: Southgate faces final shot at England glory
England’s squad announcement comes at the beginning of qualification for what will surely be Southgate’s last tournament as England manager.
Qualification for the tournament in Germany should be a formality, but Southgate will no doubt have to deal with fans and critics alike in the lead up to the championships.
Despite his overall successes at the 2018 World Cup and Euro 2020, Southgate can at times be a somewhat polarising figure among England fans.
Wearing Nikes and a three-quarter zip, Gareth Southgate launches final tilt at glory
Southgate fended off questions over the selection of Ivan Toney and Kyle Walker as he announced a largely tried-and-tested squad for England’s first Euro 2024 qualifiers
England’s fixtures during international break
Gareth Southgate’s squad announcement comes ahead of the last international break before the end of the Premier League season.
The break sees the first games of qualification for UEFA Euro 2024. England will face Italy in Naples on March 23 in their first game in Group C. The match is a repeat of the Euro 2020 final.
The Three Lions will then host Ukraine at Wembley on March 26.
Group C also contains Malta and North Macedonia.
England drawn against Italy in Euro 2024 qualifying as Scotland face Spain and Norway
England will face Italy in a third consecutive European tourament as Scotland were handed a tough draw against Erling Haaland’s Norway
Willock misses out on England squad
One player who may have been carrying hopes of being included in the squad is Newcaslte’s Joe Willock.
The 23-year-old is yet to be included in a senior England squad but has made appearances at every youth level.
He has impressed since a £25million switch from Arsenal, being one of the key players in Newcastle’s top four charge.
Magpies’ manager Eddie Howe said he believes that Willock “will be knocking on the door” of the squad.
Eddie Howe believes Joe Willock deserves England place
The 23-year-old joined the Magpies in a £25million switch from Arsenal after an impressive loan spell.
Gareth Southgate explains why he picked Ivan Toney and Kyle Walker despite investigations
Gareth Southgate has called up Ivan Toney to the England squad for the start of their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign, despite the Brentford striker facing a possible FA ban for breaching betting rules.
Toney, who scored his 17th goal of the season in Brentford’s 2-0 win at Southampton on Wednesday, is still waiting for a Football Association verdict after being charged with 262 breaches of gambling rules, with a lengthy suspension possible.
“He’s playing for his club, he’s available,” Southgate said. “There hasn’t been a trial or any judgement, so I don’t know on what basis we wouldn’t pick him.”
Toney missed out on the World Cup to Newcastle’s Callum Wilson, but has edged out the Magpies’ striker this time ahead of qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine.
More here:
Gareth Southgate explains why he picked Ivan Toney and Kyle Walker
Toney is still waiting for a verdict after being charged with 262 breaches of gambling rules, while Walker is being investigated by police after allegedly exposing himself in a bar
England squad announcement: Latest updates
Thank you so much for joining us to see who Gareth Southgate named in his England squad. There have been some omissions, particularly with Brighton’s Solly March and Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Here is the England squad in full once again:
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Nick Pope (Newcastle United), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal)
Defenders: Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Eric Dier (Tottenham), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Reece James (Chelsea), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United), Kyle Walker (Manchester City)
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), James Maddison (Leicester City), Mason Mount (Chelsea), Kalvin Phillips (Manchester City), Declan Rice (West Ham United)
Forwards: Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Brentford)
England squad announcement: Latest updates
The squad announcement is for England’s Euro qualifiers this month against Italy and Ukraine.
The team will compete against Italy on the 23 March and face Ukraine three days later. It will be the first time England have played since they lost to France in the World Cup in December.
The international break for the qualifiers is the last one in the calendar before the Premier League resumes for the end of the season.
England squad announcement: Latest updates
You’ve read what manager Gareth Southgate had to say but why don’t you hear from him?
Here he is on England’s task of Euro qualification:
England squad announcement: Latest updates
There are always debates in the wake of a squad announcement and this one will be no different!
Supporters will have their favourites but there are a few names left out which may have surprised everyone.
Here we document the biggest omissions of the announcement:
The biggest omissions from Gareth Southgate’s England squad
The England manager has made some big calls ahead of qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine this month
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