11 days to go! Southgate keeps faith in Maguire as England name squad for World Cup

England's Harry Maguire gestures to the stands at the end of the a match. (Thanassis Stavrakis/AP)

England coach Gareth Southgate on Thursday named his 26-man squad for the World Cup in Qatar.

The coach has opted to keep faith in much-criticized Harry Maguire while also calling Newcastle United's in-form striker Callum Wilson and Leicester City attacking midfielder James Maddison into his squad.

Southgate has also taken a risk on the fitness of Manchester City defender Kyle Walker and midfielder Kalvin Phillips, who is included despite playing just a handful of minutes for the club this season.

Liverpool wing-back Trent Alexander Arnold also gets the nod, along with Arsenal's adaptable Ben White, who can play at either right back or in central defense, and that implies that Kieran Trippier, who is expected to start on the right, will also provide cover for Luke Shaw, who is the only natural left-back in the squad after Ben Chilwell's injury.

Some players to miss out on a call-up are Roma forward Tammy Abraham and Brentford's Ivan Toney, while Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho is also left out, although Marcos Rashford will travel.

"He is one of our best center-backs, 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," said Southgate, who explained Maguire's inclusion, despite just one league start since August.

The coach also said Maddison had earned his late call after a season that has so far seen him score 6 goals and give 4 assists for a Leicester City side that has struggled at the start of the season.

"We think he can give us something slightly different to the attacking players that we've got," said Southgate.

England kick off their World Cup campaign against Iran on November 21.

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

Defenders: Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Kyle Walker (Man City), Ben 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).