England squad announcement for Brazil and Belgium

England manager Gareth Southgate has named a 25-man squad for the Three Lions’ exciting internationals against Brazil and Belgium.

The double-header sees the teams ranked fourth and fifth in the FIFA Rankings visit Wembley Stadium connected by EE in the space of four days.

Southgate has included two first-time call-ups in Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite and Newcastle United forward Anthony Gordon.

There is also a first call-up since November 2020 for Liverpool defender Joe Gomez, while Brentford striker Ivan Toney, Manchester City centre-half John Stones and Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell are also back following their return to action.

The players will meet up at St. George’s Park on Tuesday to begin their preparations for the mouth-watering clash with Brazil on Saturday 23 March (kick-off 7pm GMT) before returning to Wembley Stadium once again on Tuesday 26 March to take on Belgium in the Alzheimer’s Society International (7.45pm).

The Alzheimer’s Society International aims to help increase awareness of dementia symptoms, encourage fans to take the first steps in seeking a diagnosis, and raise crucial funds for Alzheimer’s Society early diagnosis research.

Dementia is the UK's biggest killer but one in three people with dementia are living without a diagnosis. This is the UK’s forgotten crisis. Too many still think dementia is just a sign of normal ageing, unsure of the symptoms, and are too afraid to visit their GP.

If you see the signs of dementia in a loved one, show them your support by visiting alzheimers.org.uk/sports to use Alzheimer’s Society’s symptoms checklist, get further information, and donate to help fund research into early diagnosis. 

You can hear Southgate’s thoughts on his squad selection when he speaks to the media via the video below.

The squad

Goalkeepers: Sam Johnstone (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal)

Defenders: Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton), Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Lewis Dunk (Brighton & Hove Albion), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kyle Walker (Manchester City)

Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Jordan Henderson (Ajax), James Maddison (Tottenham Hotspur), Declan Rice (Arsenal)

Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United) Phil Foden (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Brentford), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)