England World Cup squad: Former Gravesend Grammar School pupil and AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomori left out by Gareth Southgate
Published: 14:10, 10 November 2022
Updated: 20:43, 10 November 2022
Former Gravesend Grammar School pupil Fikayo Tomori has missed out on a place in England's World Cup squad.
AC Milan defender and ex-Chelsea star Tomori, 24, last played for England in the summer, helping them to keep a clean sheet in a goalless Nations League draw against Italy, but is not included in boss Gareth Southgate's final 26-man selection for Qatar.
Although there was another Nations League call-up in September, Tomori's chances of making the plane to the Middle East looked slim after he was an unused substitute against the Italians in Milan before being dropped from the squad for England's game against Germany - their last before the World Cup - three days later.
And with no injuries to centre-half mainstays Harry Maguire, John Stones and Eric Dier, plus Ben White and Conor Coady also available, selection as cover has not materialised.
Despite plenty of praise from Jose Mourinho, there was no surprise call-up for Tomori's fellow Serie A defender Chris Smalling.
The former Maidstone and Manchester United player, 32, won the last of his 31 England caps in 2017, but has been thriving at Roma with boss Mourinho backing him for a World Cup recall.
England begin their campaign against Iran on Monday, November 21 (1pm kick-off). They play USA on Friday, November 25 (7pm) and complete their Group B fixtures against Wales on Tuesday, November 29 (7pm).
England World Cup squad: Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Nick Pope (Newcastle), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal); Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Conor Coady (Everton), Eric Dier (Tottenham), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Tripper (Newcastle), Kyle Walker (Manchester City), Ben White (Arsenal); Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), James Maddison (Leicester), Mason Mount (Chelsea), Kalvin Phillips (Manchester City), Declan Rice (West Ham); Forwards: Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Raheem Sterling (Chelsea), Callum Wilson (Newcastle).
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Richard Trevena