Holland and Uruguay are the first nations to name their provisional World Cup squads
Released: 9:33 AM EDT, Oct. 21, 2022 | Updated: 9:35 am EDT, Oct. 21, 2022
Holland and Uruguay are the first two nations to name their provisional World Cup squads as countries prepare to announce who will run for Qatar this winter.
The Oranje named a 39-man group that will have a chance to fight for a place at the World Cup, while Uruguay opted to submit a full list of 55 players to FIFA – with all the countries that have to send their squads today .
England are also expected to name their own provisional squad on Friday – with all eyes on whether manager Gareth Southgate will pick the injured Reece James and Kyle Walker.
The Netherlands have named a 39-man provisional squad for the World Cup in Qatar – with Virgil Van Dijk (L) among the selected players
Manchester City defender Walker is recovering from a groin injury and Chelsea star James has a more serious knee ligament problem.
Holland have added Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk, Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong, ex-Tottenham star Steven Bergwijn and Man United defender Tyrell Malacia to their list.
Newcastle defender Sven Botman is also making it – although he withdrew from the Under-21 squad last month to focus on playing for the Magpies.
There are also spots for PSV youngster Cody Gakpo and Bayern starlet Ryan Gravenberch – as well as Ajax prodigy Jurrien Timber.
For Uruguay – their strong squad sees veteran Luis Suarez at the helm, while big names like Diego Godin, Martin Cacares, Ronald Araujo, Lucas Torreira, Federico Valverde and Matias Vecino are also involved.
Luis Suarez (R) leads a 55-man group named by Uruguay with just weeks until the World Cup
England fans will now be looking ahead to see who is in Southgate’s squad on Friday, with question marks over names who haven’t played much football this season or are struggling with fitness issues.
Kalvin Phillips, who has played just 14 minutes all season, will also be there as he recovers from shoulder surgery but, like Walker and James, his hopes of making the final squad depend on how that recovery does goes on.
Joe Gomez and Eberechi Eze are also said to be there.
It is understood Southgate and his backroom team believe only 70-80 players are realistic contenders to be named in England squads, meaning the pool of talent available for a squad with up to 55 names is over , is limited.
Gareth Southgate is expected to appoint his provisional England squad – with injured duo Kyle Walker and Reece James hoping to make the cut
Chelsea star James has a more serious knee ligament problem with a less likely chance
One of the reasons the FA introduced stricter work permit rules post-Brexit was to increase the number of players available for England.
However, clubs feel the rules limit development as they believe young players can only fulfill their potential if they train regularly with the best in the world.
Despite the FA’s fears over a shortage of top-level homegrown footballers, the likes of James Maddison, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho are at risk of being left at home.
All of them are likely to be named in Southgate’s provisional squad, but none can be guaranteed a spot in their final group.
HOLLAND’S PROVISIONAL WORLD CUP SQUAD
Bijlow, Cillessen, Flekken, Noppert, Pasveer, Ake, Bakker, Berghuis, Bergwijn, Blind, Botman, Brobbey, Clasie, Danjuma, De Roon, De Vrij, Dumfries, Gakpo, Gravenberch, Janssen, Frenkie de Jong, Luuk de Jong, Klaassen, Koopmeiners, Lang, De Ligt, Malacia, Malen, Memphis, Rensch, Simons, Struijk, Taylor, Til, Timber, Van De Ven, Van Dijk, Weghorst
