Headline: Maddison, Wilson, Gallagher In England World Cup squad.

By Azeezat Oyeleke Lolade.

World Cup 2022 takes place in Qatar from November 20 to December 18, England will face Iran on the second day of the tournament, Benjamin White and Conor Gallagher also included but no place for Ivan Toney, Fikayo Tomori or Tammy Abraham.

Neither player has featured for England since 2019, but recent club form has seen them earn a call-up for the Qatar tournament, which begins on November 20.

Discussing Maddison's inclusion, Southgate said: "He is playing really well. We think he can give us something slightly different to the attacking players that we've got.

       ( 📸 Photo: PL@Twitter)

"He's playing as good as any of the attacking players in this country. He is a little bit different to the others. I think we could need that."

Maddison last played for England in November 2019 while 2020 Wilson's last international cap came a month before in October 2019.Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers was delighted for Maddison, calling him "one of the best players in the Premier League"."It's wonderful news for James and his family. I'm also delighted for Gareth from a coaching perspective to have that talent available in what's such a great tournament," Rodgers said.

"I think his level of consistency, the work ethic, the talent and what he's proven over the last few years has swung that decision for him because he's a fantastic player and one of the best players in the Premier League. I'm really, really delighted for him."I've always sensed with James that desire to improve and be the best that he can be.

"When I spoke to him this morning - just anticipating either way [that he was in the squad] because at that stage we didn't know - my case was really reinforcing about the next World Cup.

"However it goes, whether you get the decision or not, it's really about progressing and developing and he's got that mentality to do that. It's great news for him and great for his country."Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher will also be going to his first senior World Cup, having only earned his first senior cap last November as a second-half substitute against San Marino. He has earned three further caps in 2022.

Arsenal defender Ben White is also on the plane, following on from his inclusion during Euro 2020. He did not play for England as they finished as runners-up, but injuries to full-backs such as Reece James and Ben Chilwell, along with White's own outstanding form, has resulted in his inclusion for Qatar.

Manchester City pair Kyle Walker and Kalvin Phillips were included despite a lack of match fitness following recent injuries, while Manchester United captain Harry Maguire has been named in the squad despite his limited game time.

When asked about the trio, Southgate said: "Harry is one of our best centre-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.

"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.Of course, we had to make a really difficult call with Reece James, who we think is a fantastic player, but he wasn't going to be available, if everything went perfectly, until the latter stages of the tournament.

"There were too many unknowns for us on that road to recovery and also, I don't think we can take a player who is unavailable for the group stages. That would be deemed arrogant in some circles.

"It was a tough call, but Kyle is a long way ahead of that. He's progressing really well."

Some notable omissions include Ivan Toney, Tammy Abraham, James Ward-Prowse, Jadon Sancho and Jarrod Bowen. Defenders Tyrone Mings, Fikayo Tomori and Marc Guehi have also not earned a place.