Gareth Southgate to name 55-man provisional England World Cup squad

Preparations for Qatar are being stepped up

Gareth Southgate is expected to name England's provisional squad for the World Cup this week - which could include as many as 55 names. The World Cup begins in Qatar next month, with England playing Iran in their opener on November 21. By then, the squad will have been narrowed down to just 26 players. Though the bulk of the extended squad is expected to be made up of names who have featured already for Southgate in recent years, the Daily Mail says it could feature Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze, who has yet to play for the Three Lions at senior level. England will head to Qatar as one of the favourites, despite their stuttering form since losing to Italy in the final of Euro 2020 last summer. Chelsea's Reece James appears highly unlikely to be fit for the tournament following the knee injury he picked up during his club's Champions League game away to AC Milan last week. Kyle Walker, another right-back, also faces a race to be fit following recent surgery. England have also been drawn in a group with the USA, who they play on November 25, and Wales, who they face in their final group game four days later. Related links:

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