My Starting XI For The 2022 World Cup

Article By @CallumMosMedia On Twitter.

November will see the start of the first ever winter World Cup, which will take place in Qatar. England go into the tournament as one of the favourites, after finishing as runners-up in the 2020 European Championships, despite their dip in form during the previous international break. 

Ahead of his squad selection in November, manager Gareth Southgate has a very difficult task on his hands, by deciding who should make the squad to begin with and which players from that squad will start the opening match of the tournament against Iran.  

Below, I have decided to compile my personal thoughts on the starting eleven, I would use for the opening match of the tournament. Feel free to let me know via social media, your thoughts on this squad or your own personal starting eleven.  

Goalkeeper - Jordan Pickford (Everton FC)

For me, the goalkeeping picks itself. Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford may have had a difficult start to the season, but he will always be England’s number one. The shot-stopper has kept just one clean sheet this season so far, which was a superb individual performance at home to Liverpool in the Merseyside Derby. He is also currently out with a slight knock and will miss the upcoming international break against both Italy and Germany in the Nations League but when he returns, he will slot straight back as the first choice. 

He has earned 45 caps for the English National team so far, and has been a part of the squad in two major tournaments so far, and in that time, the three lions made the 2018 World Cup semi-final before losing to Croatia as well as the 2020 European Championships, where the three lions finished as runners-up to Italy. He has kept roughly twenty-one clean sheets in the process as well as countless penalty saves and individual pieces of quality. The only two keepers that could provide competition is Newcastle’s Nick Pope or Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale, both of which aren’t on the same international level that Pickford is. 

Right-Wing-Back - Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United)

As a child, there was a theory that the worst players on the team would be playing in the full-back positions, however as we’ve evolved, they are potentially the most important positions on a pitch in a modern system. For me, a right-wing-back has to be able to contribute both defensively and going forward which is something that Kieran Trippier excels at. The 32-year-old has had a strong start to life at St James Park, including an outstanding free-kick against Manchester City, something England fans are all to familiar with. 

To date, Trippier has earned 37 caps for his country, and scored once during the World Cup semi-final against Croatia with an outstanding free-kick. The reason why he makes this eleven over someone like Trent Alexander-Arnold or Reece James is down to Trippier’s trait at being a much better defender. At international level, the build-up play is much slower under Gareth Southgate which suits the full-backs style of play much better. Pace doesn’t have to be an issue with the system England play because he will also have cover from the right-centre-back, that you’ll discover shortly. James doesn’t have enough international tournament experience to begin as a starter for me whilst Alexander-Arnold doesn’t suit the Southgate system at all.  

Right-Centre-Back - Kyle Walker (Manchester City)

Although with Trippier, I stated that pace isn’t a requirement at international level, naturally you will still need some sort of pace at the back, because there are some very quick forwards at this level. Therefore, Manchester City defender Kyle Walker is an obvious pick in this squad, as he also provides the pace cover for Kieran Trippier if required. Walker had made six Premier League appearances so far this season and will always be one of the first names on the team sheet under Gareth Southgate as he very rarely makes mistakes. 

For England, Walker has earned a total of 68 caps so far and has participated in three major tournaments for the three lions. These were the forgettable 2016 European Championships when England lost to Iceland. As well as the 2018 World Cup and the 2020 European Championships. That level of experience is vital in a starting eleven, especially to help the less senior players out on the pitch. Walker is a much better centre-back than right-back and is therefore a very obvious choice in this starting lineup. 

Central-Centre-Back - Harry Maguire (Manchester United)

Manchester United defender Harry Maguire is definitely the most talked about English player surrounding the National Team. I will happily take stock of this decision backfires but for me, Maguire has never let his country down and therefore, with his level of experience he makes this starting eleven. This season, the defender has made three Premier League appearances as well as two in the Europa League, meaning he may not be the current fittest player in the squad so it is a major risk, especially with the rise in-form of Tottenham’s Eric Dier and Brighton’s Lewis Dunk. 

Maguire has earned 46 caps for his country, all coming under Gareth Southgate’s management. He has competed in two major tournaments for England and has put in two outstanding performances in both of those competitions, helping the three lions get one step closer to winning their first international tournament since 1966. Club form aside, Maguire has always been Mr reliable in the three lions squad, and as stated with Kyle Walker, you need to make sure your squad has plenty of international experience. His style of play, in terms of his passing distribution suits the style of football that Southgate plays and for that reason, he will remain at the heart of the three lions defence. 

Left-Centre-Back - John Stones (Manchester City)

Completing the centre-back positions is Manchester City defender John Stones. Once again, this position picks itself and all three players have developed an outstanding relationship on the pitch, and even if fans suggest otherwise, you can almost guarantee that Gareth Southgate will stick to his guns at the 2022 World Cup. This season, Stones has made six Premier League appearances, providing two assists as well as scoring an absolute stunner in the UEFA Champions League. 

The 28-year-old has earned himself 58 caps since being involved in the national team since his debut in 2014. However, he has only competed in two major tournaments which were the 2018 World Cup and the 2020 European Championships. He was included in the 2026 European Championship squad but never made an appearance. He is still closing in on the prime years of his career and his performances are getting much better year on year, especially developing a strong relationship with teammate Ruben Dias. You need defenders that can comfortably play out from the back, which is what players like John Stones specialises in and he suddenly becomes one of the first names on the squad list. 

Left-Wing-Back - Luke Shaw (Manchester United) 

Again, a slightly controversial pick, especially given the return of full-back Ben Chilwell in recent weeks. However, a man that has always put in a proper shift for England is Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw. He played a major role in the last two tournaments and will be biting at the bit to crack on at the World Cup and prove to himself, his manager and the Manchester United boss why he should start. This season, Shaw has made just two Premier League appearances as well as one in the UEFA Europa League. 

For England, Shaw has earned 21 caps for his country, in a career dominated by injuries. Luke Shaw came so close to being a national hero at the 2020 European Championships when he scored the opening goal in the tournament final after just four minutes against Italy before we were pegged back and beaten on penalties. Like Trippier, Shaw has some pace but it’s enough to suit the way that the three lions typically play, simply because we don’t rely on pace to beat teams. He’s always delivered when it counts for England and I back him to do exactly the same again. 

Defensive Midfield - Declan Rice (West Ham United)

Kicking off the midfield positions, we have West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice. The 23-year-old is, on his day, one of the best defensive midfielders in Europe in my honest opinion. He fits the England national team like a duck does to water. In the last two tournaments, he has developed an outstanding partnership with now Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips. This season, Rice has made seven Premier League appearances as well as picking up two assists in the process. 

For England, Rice has earned 32 caps for his country, as well as scoring two goals. In front of the back five, you need a player who can go forward but also is very strong at the back and difficult to get past. That fits Declan Rice perfectly. His eye for a pass is very beneficial for Gareth Southgate and he keeps things very simple and makes it look completely effortless. You need youth as well as experience at major international tournaments and the Hammers midfielder definitely fits that role and for me, he’s the first name on the team sheet. 

Defensive Midfield - Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund)

Next to Rice, I have gone with youngster Jude Bellingham, which in itself is a big call but for me, he adds something that Kalvin Phillips or James Ward-Prowse don’t. The 19-year-old has enjoyed an excellent couple of seasons in Germany playing for Borussia Dortmund alongside some brilliant footballers like Marco Reus and Erling Haaland. This season, Bellingham has made seven appearances in the Bundesliga as well as two in the UEFA Champions League, scoring twice including a goal against Manchester City. 

For England, Bellingham has earned fifteen caps already, and is a globally recognised talent, who’s expected to continue hitting exceptional heights throughout the remainder of his career, and it’s barely even begun. Bellingham is a more attacking threat compared to Kalvin Phillips and that suits my side better because I feel at times as though England play too safe in areas of the pitch that we don’t need to. Therefore, adding an extra attacking threat who can fill the gap between Rice and the two attacking midfielders is definitely a role in which the youngster is much better suited. It’s only a matter of time before he grabs an international goal on the biggest stage of them all and we don’t necessarily have a player with the qualities that Bellingham possesses. 

Attacking Midfield - Phil Foden (Manchester City)

In the first of two attacking midfielders, I have decided to go with Manchester City midfielder/winger Phil Foden. My thinking of Foden is simply down to his individual pieces of quality that he can bring to this side as well as his youthful energy in the final third. The 22-year-old has enjoyed an excellent start to the season, scoring twice and assisting a further two goals in the clubs first seven Premier League matches this season, becoming a very popular figure under Pep Guardiola. 

For England, the Stockport Iniesta has earned 16 caps for his country, scoring twice. He also played a very big part in the 2020 European Championships, which took place last summer. He adds a ton of creativity into the England midfield and in all honesty, is a better attacking threat then the likes of Jarrod Bowen and Mason Mount. England need to have attacking players that aren’t scared to run at the opposition, which is a player trait that a certain Phil Foden definitely has. 

Attacking Midfield - Raheem Sterling (Chelsea FC) 

Let’s be honest, a lesson even I learnt myself, you cannot have an England squad without Raheem Sterling. Since his summer move from Manchester City to Chelsea, Sterling has continued his good form, especially in the league. This season he has scored four goals in eight games in all competitions, which includes a Premier League brace and a goal in the UEFA Champions League. He has also operated as a false nine for Chelsea so if Gareth Southgate was considering a tactical change, he can do so without hesitation. 

For England, Raheem Sterling has earned 77 caps and scored a total of 19 goals to date, something which makes him almost undroppable, especially under Gareth Southgate. He adds a lot of pace and flare and although on the outside, his style of play cam frustrate supporters, especially when he isn’t the quickest to release the ball but he brings more talent and most importantly a lot of experience to the side. This level of tournament experience is crucial in the side and England look a much stronger side when he plays.    

Striker - Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur) 

The final player in my starting eleven is the main man, aka Tottenham Hotspur striker and England captain Harry Kane. His form for his country is absolutely outstanding and he is very quickly closing in on the all-time goalscoring record, previously set by a certain Wayne Rooney and better yet, Kane still has a good few years ahead of him. This season, Kane has scored six goals and grabbed an assist in seven Premier League matches, meaning he is currently contributing a goal every game in the league for Antonio Conte’s side. 

For his country, Kane has earned 71 caps and has participated in some major tournaments for the three lions and in truth, he is Gareth Southgate’s main man in the side. At the time of writing, Kane is only three goals away from equalling the Rooney record, despite making 49 less appearances, which is

outstanding and he still is only 29-years-old. If England are going to have any luck at the World Cup, Kane has got to come good and that’s something that he is more than capable of doing if he gets the right sort of service as well as positioning himself in the correct areas on the pitch. 

For those who made it to the end, thank you for reading my first proper article on this website. Also, feel free to let me know on Twitter (@CallumMosMedia) with either your thoughts on the article OR your own starting eleven.