With all 32 teams needing to send their squad lists to FIFA TODAY, the first two nations to announce tentative World Cup squads are Holland and Uruguay, with Gareth Southgate set to submit a 55-man longlist.
As teams prepare to disclose who is in contention for Qatar this winter, Holland and Uruguay are the first two to name their tentative World Cup squads.
While Uruguay chose to send FIFA a complete list of all 55 players, all nations were required to send out their squads today. The Oranje named a 39-man group that will compete for a spot at the World Cup.
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On Friday, England is also anticipated to announce its own preliminary team, with all eyes on manager Gareth Southgate’s decision to select the injured Reece James and Kyle Walker.
For the World Cup in Qatar, the Netherlands have selected a 39-man provisional roster, with Virgil Van Dijk (L) among the players chosen.
While Chelsea star James is dealing with a more serious knee ligament issue, Manchester City defender Walker is recovering from a groin ailment.
On their list, Holland put players like Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool, Frenkie de Jong of Barcelona, Steven Bergwijn of former Tottenham Hotspur, and Tyrell Malacia of Manchester United.
Despite withdrawing from the Under-21 squad last month to concentrate on playing for the Magpies, Newcastle defender Sven Botman is also included in the group.
Additionally, Cody Gakpo of PSV, Ryan Gravenberch of Bayern, and Jurrien Timber of Ajax can also find spots.
Veteran Luis Suarez is the captain of Uruguay’s large team, which also includes Diego Godin, Martin Cacares, Ronald Araujo, Lucas Torreira, Federico Valverde, and Matias Vecino.
With only a few weeks till the World Cup, Uruguay picked a 55-man squad, with Luis Suarez (R) as its captain.
Now that Southgate has announced his selection, England supporters will be watching to see who makes it, with names of players who haven’t featured much this year or who have fitness difficulties raising questions.
As he recovers from shoulder surgery, Kalvin Phillips, who has only played 14 minutes this season, will also be included, but, like Walker and James, his chances of reaching the final team rely on how well he heals.
There will also be Eberechi Eze and Joe Gomez.
The skill pool for a team of up to 55 players is constrained because Southgate and his backroom staff reportedly think just 70 to 80 players are serious challengers to be chosen in England squads.
Kyle Walker and Reece James are hoping to be included in Gareth Southgate’s tentative England team despite being injured.
James, a standout for Chelsea, has a more serious knee ligament issue with a lower likelihood of recovery.
To improve the number of players available for England, the FA tightened work permit regulations after Brexit.
Clubs claim that the rules impede player development because they consider that young athletes may only reach their full potential by consistently working with the finest athletes in the world.
Even while the FA worries that there aren’t enough homegrown football players competing at the highest level, players like James Maddison, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Marcus Rashford, and Jadon Sancho risk remaining at home.
None of them can be guaranteed a spot in Southgate’s final team, even though they are all expected to be named in his preliminary squad.
PROVISIONAL WORLD CUP SQUAD OF HOLLAND
Bijlow, Cillessen, Flekken, Noppert, Pasveer, Ake, Bakker, Berghuis, Bergwijn, Blind, Botman, Brobbey, Clasie, Danjuma, De Roon, De Vrij, Dumfries, Gakpo, Gravenberch, Janssen, Frenkie de Jong, Luuk de Jong, Klaassen, Koopmeiners, Lang, De Ligt, Malacia, Malen, Memphis, Rensch, Simons, Struijk, Taylor, Til, Timber, Van De Ven, Van Dijk, Weghorst