England have confirmed their squad numbers for the World Cup in Qatar and they may give some hints as to who will be in Gareth Southgate’s starting XI.
The Three Lions arrived at the team’s St George’s Park complex on Monday to report for duty before they make their way over to the Middle East.
And now the players, who all modelled their new team gear at a Nike event on Monday, know what number they’ll be donning on their back during the tournament.
Harry Maguire (6), John Stones (5), Luke Shaw (3) and Kyle Walker (2) have been handed the lower numbers, suggesting they could be in the preferred back line.
Jack Grealish takes the coveted No 7 shirt while Raheem Sterling has the No 10.
Marcus Rashford will wear the No 11 which could be a good sign for his chances of playing a significant role.
The forward has found form at the right time after not featuring for the three Lions since the Euro 2020 final.
Jordan Pickford also looks set to retain his place between the sticks after being handed the No 1 shirt.
James Maddison, however, may not be very encouraged by receiving the No 25 shirt.
England begin their tournament against Iran next Monday before facing the USA and Wales.
England and Marks & Spencer have partnered to release a new menswear range, designed to reflect the personality and individuality of the team.
It is made up of relaxed, modern tailoring, merino wool separates, footwear and accessories.
Speaking ahead of their journey over to Qatar, Southgate has already revealed his plan for the next few days in that work on the training pitch will be extremely limited.
Speaking at his squad announcement, the Three Lions’ boss said: ‘With the players we want to talk to them about the excitement of going to a World Cup.
‘We understand the need to comment on the off-field things that surround this tournament, but we want the players to feel that enthusiasm that they’ve had since kids.
‘We want to fuel that. The first couple of days we won’t be on the training pitch, bar a couple [of players] that will need to do something. We want them to transition from a hectic club schedule to thinking about England. We want to talk to them about the fact that this, whatever happens over the next four weeks, has been the second-best period for English football. We can make it the best.
‘It’s the challenge mindset. How can we take the supporters on another journey, like the one they loved four years ago and loved last summer? That’s why we do it and that’s what makes playing for England special.’
England are set to fly over to Qatar on Tuesday, meaning they will have less than a week to accilimatise to the testing conditions that will welcome them when they step foot onto the pitch.
