A stunning XI of players left out of England's 2022 World Cup squad

Gareth Southgate has whittled down the many quality candidates for England's World Cup squad to a squad of 26 players. It's hard to argue against most names that have made it to Qatar, but there are plenty of unlucky players to miss.

England are the bookmakers' fifth favorite to win the 2022 World Cup after reaching the semi-finals last time out. To underscore the health of the English game, just look at some of the brilliant footballers who stayed at home.

It's an eleven of quality players who didn't make England's Qatar 2022 squad, arranged in a 4-3-3 formation.

GK: Dean Henderson

It's easy to forget now that Henderson was named ahead of Aaron Ramsdale for the Euro 2020 squad, and it didn't seem very controversial at the time. He had to withdraw due to a hip problem and was then fumed by his lack of opportunities at Old Trafford last season.

But back between the sticks, Henderson reminds us that he's a pretty handy stopper. The Manchester United loanee has conceded plenty of goals at Nottingham Forest this season, but he's also made a few saves - only David Raya, Jordan Pickford and Bernd Leno have recorded more in the Premier League in 2022-23 so far. AR: Reece James

The Chelsea man would have been a surefire inclusion, which is no small feat given Southgate's stacking of options at right-back. James would have fought tooth and nail to regain fitness in time for Qatar, but he didn't.

He's one of seven players in England's Euro 2020 squad last summer to miss the World Cup - but at just 22, we're absolutely certain we'll see James represent all three Lions in many other future tournaments.

READ: All 7 members of England's Euro 2020 squad will not travel to Qatar

CD: Fikayo Tomori

Perhaps Southgate's most controversial omission - Tomori hasn't been in top form this season, but he's been absolutely stellar as AC Milan ended a decade-long wait for the Scudetto last season.

The centre-back might have made it to the World Cup had he not made his England debut in November 2019. Tomori was born in Calgary and has represented Canada at Under-20 level. Penny for his thoughts as he watches from home this winter.

CD: Chris Smalling "I still have a huge appetite to go [to another World Cup] and every time there's a team call-up I'm disappointed, even though I've been out for quite a while," said Smalling told The Independent.

“There is always this disappointment every time. I feel like I can offer a lot and I want to offer a lot. I want to be there. Now I think more and more about how great it is to get this call-up and go to England."

He's something of a forgotten man, having not been capped for five years, but there's strong reason to believe Smalling is one of England's most in-form centre-backs.< /p>

The 32-year-old was superb as Roma won the UEFA Conference League last season and remains one of Jose Mourinho's most trusted lieutenants at the Stadio Olimpico.

CEO: Ben Chilwell

Like his Chelsea team-mate James, Chilwell would surely have been among the first names in Southgate's squad had he not suffered a hamstring injury on the eve of the tournament.

Very strong competition for Luke Shaw for the title of best left-back in England.

DM: James Ward-Prowse

"With James he really competes with Bellingham and Henderson, maybe to a lesser extent (Conor) Gallagher," Southgate explained after announcing his team.

"I don't see him in the same profile at (Declan...