Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho not in England squad while Marc Guehi earns first call-up | Football News

Manchester United duo Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho have been left out of the England squad, while Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi has earned his first call-up.

England are preparing for the winter World Cup in Qatar and have lined up two Wembley friendlies.

They are facing Switzerland on March 26 and will then host the two-time Africa Cup of Nations champions Ivory Coast on March 29.

Guehi, who was signed from Chelsea in the summer, has impressed at Palace under Patrick Vieira on his debut Premier League season and has been promoted from the U21s.

England’s 25-man squad

Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal), Nick Pope (Burnley)

Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Conor Coady (Wolves), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Reece James (Chelsea), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Ben White (Arsenal)

Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Conor Gallagher (Crystal Palace), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Mason Mount (Chelsea), Declan Rice (West Ham), James Ward-Prowse (Southampton)

Forwards: Tammy Abraham (Roma), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Tottenham), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Emile Smith Rowe (Arsenal), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)

Could Ramsdale unseat Pickford for the World Cup?

Sky Sports’ Zinny Boswell on the Essential Football Podcast:

“He’s definitely been the best English goalkeeper performing in the Premier League this season, but – and it’s a big but – Jordan Pickford, despite the criticism he gets at Everton, has never let Gareth Southgate down.

“Before the Euros there were a lot of question marks over whether he should play, but he was pretty spotless at that tournament.

“It would be a massive call if come Qatar, Southgate says ‘on your bike’ and puts Ramsdale in goal. Any mistake would just be magnified, and everyone would be asking where Pickford.

“Saying that, I would just stress again that he’s definitely been the best English goalkeeper this season, so it’s certainly up for debate.”

England’s confirmed 2022 fixtures

Friendlies

March 26: Switzerland (h)
March 29: Ivory Coast (h)

Nations League

June 4: Hungary (a)
June 8: Germany (a)
June 11: Italy (h)
June 14: Hungary (h)
September 23: Italy (a)
September 26: Germany (h)

World Cup starts in November.