Euro 2024 qualifiers : The squad for England’s games against Ukraine and Italy will be named by Gareth Southgate
This month, England begins their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign after losing to France in the World Cup quarterfinals.
The Southgate team plays in Italy on 23 March, followed by a home match against Ukraine three days later.
On Thursday, the manager names his squad with difficult decisions to make.
The BBC has looked at some selection questions England’s manager will need to answer, and whether there will be any surprises.
Southgate, who led the Three Lions to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals and the Euro 2020 final, said he was “confused” about staying in charge of the national team after England’s 2-1 loss to France on 10 December in Qatar.
Later, Southgate, 52, said he would remain until the end of Euro 2024, which will take place next summer in Germany.
In September, England face top seeds Italy in Naples, who defeated Southgate’s side in the Euro 2020 final.
With Ukraine visiting Wembley on 26 March, Southgate will have more flexibility to experiment with his tried and tested players in the double-header against Malta away and North Macedonia at home in June.
The squad announcement will still be eagerly awaited by some players.
With 16 goals this season, Ivan Toney is the second-highest English goal scorer in the Premier League, five fewer than Tottenham’s Harry Kane on 20 and one more than Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford on 14.
Despite being called up for September’s Nations League matches against Germany and Italy, Toney did not play.
In addition to admitting to a number of the 262 charges issued against him, he remains available for selection until the case is resolved.
His club boss Thomas Frank felt Toney deserved to play for England, and said: “If you look at the performances I don’t think you can get past him, but I know there are different types and it depends on what kind of strikers he [Southgate] wants.
“But Ivan has shown on goals and assists – two pretty good numbers to be high on – and performances that he is the number two behind Harry [Kane].”
Squad
