Published 15 November 2022 4 min read
England Men's Senior Team
Royal appointment for Three Lions' World Cup squad
The Prince of Wales was a surprise visitor to St. George's Park as England squad prepare for departure to Qatar
The England players heading to Doha were given a special send-off by being presented with their squad numbers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, President of The FA, made a surprise visit to St. George’s Park to join manager Gareth Southgate in revealing each number in front of the players and the Three Lions' support team. It was the first time each of them found out what they would wear on their kit during the finals.
It came at the end of a busy first day of World Cup preparations at the national football centre that saw the players switch to World Cup mode ahead of the opening match against Iran next Monday.
Southgate said: “It was a nice moment to be with the group and Prince William, who has been a huge supporter of ours. I know how passionate the players are about their country and it was great to see what it meant to each of them as they came forward. As staff and players, we are all so privileged to represent England and we are excited to see what’s possible together. We want to make the fans proud again.”
Addressing the players, Prince William said: “What you and Gareth have built here is something special, that’s clear to see.
His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, President of The FA, made a surprise visit to St. George’s Park to join manager Gareth Southgate in revealing each number in front of the players and the Three Lions' support team. It was the first time each of them found out what they would wear on their kit during the finals.
It came at the end of a busy first day of World Cup preparations at the national football centre that saw the players switch to World Cup mode ahead of the opening match against Iran next Monday.
Southgate said: “It was a nice moment to be with the group and Prince William, who has been a huge supporter of ours. I know how passionate the players are about their country and it was great to see what it meant to each of them as they came forward. As staff and players, we are all so privileged to represent England and we are excited to see what’s possible together. We want to make the fans proud again.”
Addressing the players, Prince William said: “What you and Gareth have built here is something special, that’s clear to see.
15 Nov 2022
17.36
Three Lions squad arrive for World Cup
The England squad reported to St. George's Park as they prepare to depart for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
“Play for each other, support each other, enjoy it, and I’m sure you’ll go far.”
Last night’s presentation had started with Harry Kane, who will again lead the team on the biggest global stage. The skipper received his No9 shirt within a bespoke box that told the story of the number and included a picture of each player to have worn it at previous World Cups.
Kane will join an illustrious club of six players to have captained England at more than one men’s World Cup when he wears the armband in Qatar. Billy Wright, Bobby Moore, Bryan Robson, David Beckham and Steven Gerrard have all previously had the honour of being skipper at least twice.
From No1 Jordan Pickford right through to No26 Conor Gallagher, the players were called up in turn to receive their number, with Gallagher plus No24 Callum Wilson and No25 James Maddison also getting particular mention for the honour of representing England at a major finals for the first time.
The manager referenced the uniqueness of it being the first time those final three numbers will be seen at a World Cup, after FIFA took the decision earlier this year to increase squad sizes by 23 to 26. Within each box, he had individually signed a card featuring a message that concluded with the words: “Wear your shirt with pride and embrace the opportunity to make history.”
Last night’s presentation had started with Harry Kane, who will again lead the team on the biggest global stage. The skipper received his No9 shirt within a bespoke box that told the story of the number and included a picture of each player to have worn it at previous World Cups.
Kane will join an illustrious club of six players to have captained England at more than one men’s World Cup when he wears the armband in Qatar. Billy Wright, Bobby Moore, Bryan Robson, David Beckham and Steven Gerrard have all previously had the honour of being skipper at least twice.
From No1 Jordan Pickford right through to No26 Conor Gallagher, the players were called up in turn to receive their number, with Gallagher plus No24 Callum Wilson and No25 James Maddison also getting particular mention for the honour of representing England at a major finals for the first time.
The manager referenced the uniqueness of it being the first time those final three numbers will be seen at a World Cup, after FIFA took the decision earlier this year to increase squad sizes by 23 to 26. Within each box, he had individually signed a card featuring a message that concluded with the words: “Wear your shirt with pride and embrace the opportunity to make history.”
Squad numbers
1 Jordan Pickford
2 Kyle Walker
3 Luke Shaw
4 Declan Rice
5 John Stones
6 Harry Maguire
7 Jack Grealish
8 Jordan Henderson
9 Harry Kane
10 Raheem Sterling
11 Marcus Rashford
12 Kieran Trippier
13 Nick Pope
14 Kalvin Phillips
15 Eric Dier
16 Conor Coady
17 Bukayo Saka
18 Trent Alexander-Arnold
19 Mason Mount
20 Phil Foden
21 Ben White
22 Jude Bellingham
23 Aaron Ramsdale
24 Callum Wilson
25 James Maddison
26 Conor Gallagher
1 Jordan Pickford
2 Kyle Walker
3 Luke Shaw
4 Declan Rice
5 John Stones
6 Harry Maguire
7 Jack Grealish
8 Jordan Henderson
9 Harry Kane
10 Raheem Sterling
11 Marcus Rashford
12 Kieran Trippier
13 Nick Pope
14 Kalvin Phillips
15 Eric Dier
16 Conor Coady
17 Bukayo Saka
18 Trent Alexander-Arnold
19 Mason Mount
20 Phil Foden
21 Ben White
22 Jude Bellingham
23 Aaron Ramsdale
24 Callum Wilson
25 James Maddison
26 Conor Gallagher