YOUR 23 for Brazil

[P45Mustang]

True.

What else is different from your selection ups.

[uptheos]

Without looking. No Smalling or Milner, I had Carrick and Walker I think.

Caulker too.

[P45Mustang]

Smalling replaces your Walker.

Lampard and Milner replace your Caulker and Carrick.

I think.

Walker injured since you posted, so looks like a very good effort.

Roy's starting 11 will be interesting. We played 4-3-3 when we won it in 1966.

[StevieH]

he'll play 4-4-2 when in possession of the ball and 9-0-1 when not in possession.

[P45Mustang]

he'll play 4-4-2 when in possession of the ball and 9-0-1 when not in possession.

Well that's Costa Rica and Uruguay sorted.

Wonder what he'll do against Italy.

[StevieH]

he'll play 4-4-2 when in possession of the ball and 9-0-1 when not in possession.

Well that's Costa Rica and Uruguay sorted.

Wonder what he'll do against Italy.

just let that pirlo lad have the ball same as last time.

roy's press conferences are like filibusters. waffle, obfuscate, lower expectations, talk down very decent players, ramble, deflect attention from own blatant shortcomings. oh look, england have drawn all three matches.

[oldgit]

Looking at the squads for the World Cup 2010 (six survivors) and the one he picked in Euro 2014 (eleven making it for this one), I'm not surprised he's gone for the younger players. Couldn't do otherwise, considering some of the crap he dragged along last time. Very surprised to see that this is Jagielka's first tournament for England.

[StevieH]

given the centre backs in this squad i'm actually surprised there wasn't more of a clamour to get john terry back in the squad.

also jones, smalling and welbeck wouldn't have been called up on this season's form if they played for norwich or stoke.

[oldgit]

given the centre backs in this squad i'm actually surprised there wasn't more of a clamour to get john terry back in the squad.

also jones, smalling and welbeck wouldn't have been called up on this season's form if they played for norwich or stoke.

Very true,Stevie. On the flip side, I was thinking that about Marc Albrighton of Villa. Very quick player who can beat a man and cross a ball.

[P45Mustang]

given the centre backs in this squad i'm actually surprised there wasn't more of a clamour to get john terry back in the squad.

also jones, smalling and welbeck wouldn't have been called up on this season's form if they played for norwich or stoke.

Fair point.

JT situation, complicated, don't know the truth.

Very effective with Cahill in the EPL.

[P45Mustang]

Southampton midfielder Gaston Ramirez is called up for Uruguay for the first time in their provisional 25-man World Cup squad for Brazil.

Liverpool defender Sebastian Coates joins him in Oscar Tabarez's squad, having been on loan at his first club Nacional this season after recovering from a knee ligament injury he picked up in England in August.

Liverpool's Luis Suarez and West Brom's Diego Lugano are also selected.

FULL SQUAD: Goalkeepers: Fernando Muslera (Galatasaray), Martin Silva (Vasco da Gama), Rodrigo Munoz (Libertad) Defenders: Maximiliano Pereira (Benfica), Diego Lugano (West Bromwich Albion), Diego Godin, Jose Maria Gimenez (both Atletico Madrid), Sebastian Coates (Nacional), Martin Caceres (Juventus), Jorge Fucile (Porto) Midfielders: Alejandro Silva (Lanus), Alvaro Gonzalez Lazio), Alvaro Pereira (Sao Paulo), Walter Gargano (Parma), Egidio Arevalo Rios (Morelia), Diego Perez (Bologna), Sebastian Eguren (Palmeiras), Cristian Rodriguez (Atletico Madrid), Gaston Ramirez (Southampton), Nicolas Lodeiro (Botafogo) Forwards: Luis Suarez (Liverpool), Edinson Cavani (Paris St Germain), Abel Hernandez (Palermo), Diego Forlan (Cerezo Osaka), Christian Stuani (Espanyol)

Uh Oh.

[StevieH]

sebastian coates going the world cup is just weird. but still, fair play to the lad.

other than suarez and cavani, and perhaps cristian rodriguez, there's nothing that impressive about that squad.

[P45Mustang]

Phew. That's a relief.

Going to be tricky containing Suarez and Cavani mind.

Tactical substitution with Forlan coming off the bench, bang.

Golden Ball winner, joint top scorer in South Africa 2010...34 now but useful up your sleeve.

A few At Madrid players in the squad. Will be interesting for sure.

[StevieH]

oh they've some players alright. pretty decent. nothing to be afraid of though i don't think. unless you're roy and terrified of having your trousers pulled down on the world stage.

[jellydog]

sebastian coates going the world cup is just weird. but still, fair play to the lad.

other than suarez and cavani, and perhaps cristian rodriguez, there's nothing that impressive about that squad.

Not a bad squad really Stevie, just getting older. Muslera is a decent keeper, Godin is a mainstay at Atletico, Maxi Pereira at Benfica can play. Not world beaters to be sure. But they have a good coach as well. I definitely wouldn't expect them to replicate their performance from four years ago.

Older being the key. Lugano is pretty much Rio Ferdinand at this point.

[StevieH]

spain name their 30:

FULL SQUAD: Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas, Pepe Reina, David de Gea. Defenders: Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique, Raul Albiol, Juanfran, Jordi Alba, Daniel Carvajal, Alberto Moreno, Cesar Azpilicueta & Javi Martinez.

Midfielders: Xavi, Xabi Alonso, Iniesta, Koke, Busquets, Cazorla, Iturraspe, Fabregas, Thiago, Mata, Silva.

Forwards: Pedro, Navas, Diego Costa, Villa, Torres, Negredo, Llorente.

[StevieH]

france announce their squad. samir nasri, not a very popular lad in france, left out and his girlfriend kicks off about it: http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/may/13/france-world-cup-squad-samir-nasri-gael-clichy-didier-deschamps

Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Tottenham), Steve Mandanda (Marseille), Mickaël Landreau (Bastia)

Defenders: Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle United), Lucas Digne (PSG) Patrice Evra (Manchester United), Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal), Eliaquim Mangala (Porto), Bacary Sagna (Arsenal), Mamadou Sakho (Liverpool), Raphaël Varane (Real Madrid)

Midfielders: Yohan Cabaye (PSG), Clément Grenier (Lyon), Blaise Matuidi (PSG), Rio Mavuba (Lille), Paul Pogba (Juventus), Moussa Sissoko (Newcastle), Mathieu Valbuena (Marseille)

Forwards: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Olivier Giroud (Arsenal), Antoine Griezmann (Real Sociedad), Loïc Rémy (Newcastle), Franck Ribéry (Bayern Munich)

Stand-by players: Stéphane Ruffier (Monaco), Loïc Perrin (St Etienne), Maxime Gonalons (Lyon), Morgan Schneiderlin (Southampton), Benoît Trémoulinas (Dynamo Kiev), Alexandre Lacazette (Lyon), Rémy Cabella (Montpellier)

[StevieH]

argentina's 30 announced. that's some squad. but no tevez.

La liste des 30 joueurs argentins :

Gardiens : Mariano Andujar (Catane, ITA), Sergio Romero (Monaco, FRA), Agustin Orion (Boca Juniors)

Défenseurs : Lisandro Lopez (Getafe, ESP), Hugo Campagnaro (Inter Milan, ITA), Federico Fernandez (Naples, ITA), Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City, ENG), Ezequiel Garay (Benfica, POR), Marcos Rojo (Sporting Lisbonne, POR), José Basanta (Monterrey, MEX), Nicolas Otamendi (Atletico Mineiro, BRA), Martin Demichelis (Manchester City, ENG), Gabriel Mercado (River Plate)

Milieux : Javier Mascherano (FC Barcelone, ESP), José Sosa (Atletico Madrid, ESP), Augusto Fernandez (Celta Vigo, ESP), Ricky Alvarez (Inter Milan, ITA), Lucas Biglia (Lazio Rome, ITA), Ever Banega (Newell's Old Boys), Fernando Gago (Boca Juniors), Maxi Rodriguez (Newell's Old Boys), Enzo Perez (Benfica Lisbonne, POR), Fabian Rinaudo (Catane, ITA)

Attaquants : Lionel Messi (FC Barcelone, ESP), Angel Di Maria (Real Madrid, ESP), Rodrigo Palacio (Inter Milan, ITA), Gonzalo Higuaín (Naples, ITA), Sergio Agüero (Manchester City, ENG), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Paris SG, FRA), Franco Di Santo (Werder Brême, GER)

[StevieH]

belgium announce their squad. januzaj in it.

Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois (Atletico Madrid, on loan from Chelsea), Simon Mignolet (Liverpool), Koen Casteels (Hoffenheim), Silvio Proto (Anderlecht).

Defenders: Toby Alderweireld (Atletico Madrid), Laurent Ciman (Standard Liege), Nicolas Lombaerts (Zenit St Petersburg), Vincent Kompany (Manchester City), Daniel Van Buyten (Bayern Munich), Anthony Vanden Borre (Anderlecht), Thomas Vermaelen (Arsenal), Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham).

Midfielders: Nacer Chadli, Mousa Dembele (both Tottenham), Steven Defour (Porto), Kevin De Bruyne (Wolfsburg), Marouane Fellaini, Adnan Januzaj (both Manchester United), Eden Hazard (Chelsea), Kevin Mirallas (Everton), Divock Origi (Lille), Axel Witsel (Zenit St Petersburg).

Forwards: Romelu Lukaku (Everton, on loan from Chelsea), Dries Mertens (Napoli).

[P45Mustang]

Bit thin up front.

Can't win it in midfield, however good your goalie is.

[StevieH]

missing the injured benteke.

hazard, mirallas, januzaj playing off lukaku could be reasonable.

[P45Mustang]

missing the injured benteke.

hazard, mirallas, januzaj playing off lukaku could be reasonable.

Sounds a bit Mourinho like.

[StevieH]

missing the injured benteke.

hazard, mirallas, januzaj playing off lukaku could be reasonable.

Sounds a bit Mourinho like.

nah, it'll be much more fun to watch.

marc wilmots is a likeable bloke too into the bargain.

[StevieH]

belgian newspaper article from 2002. brilliant.

[oldgit]

argentina's 30 announced. that's some squad. but no tevez.

La liste des 30 joueurs argentins :

Gardiens : Mariano Andujar (Catane, ITA), Sergio Romero (Monaco, FRA), Agustin Orion (Boca Juniors)

Défenseurs : Lisandro Lopez (Getafe, ESP), Hugo Campagnaro (Inter Milan, ITA), Federico Fernandez (Naples, ITA), Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City, ENG), Ezequiel Garay (Benfica, POR), Marcos Rojo (Sporting Lisbonne, POR), José Basanta (Monterrey, MEX), Nicolas Otamendi (Atletico Mineiro, BRA), Martin Demichelis (Manchester City, ENG), Gabriel Mercado (River Plate)

Milieux : Javier Mascherano (FC Barcelone, ESP), José Sosa (Atletico Madrid, ESP), Augusto Fernandez (Celta Vigo, ESP), Ricky Alvarez (Inter Milan, ITA), Lucas Biglia (Lazio Rome, ITA), Ever Banega (Newell's Old Boys), Fernando Gago (Boca Juniors), Maxi Rodriguez (Newell's Old Boys), Enzo Perez (Benfica Lisbonne, POR), Fabian Rinaudo (Catane, ITA)

Attaquants : Lionel Messi (FC Barcelone, ESP), Angel Di Maria (Real Madrid, ESP), Rodrigo Palacio (Inter Milan, ITA), Gonzalo Higuaín (Naples, ITA), Sergio Agüero (Manchester City, ENG), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Paris SG, FRA), Franco Di Santo (Werder Brême, GER)

Franco Di Santo is a bit of a surprise!

[uptheos]

argentina's 30 announced. that's some squad. but no tevez.

La liste des 30 joueurs argentins :

Gardiens : Mariano Andujar (Catane, ITA), Sergio Romero (Monaco, FRA), Agustin Orion (Boca Juniors)

Défenseurs : Lisandro Lopez (Getafe, ESP), Hugo Campagnaro (Inter Milan, ITA), Federico Fernandez (Naples, ITA), Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City, ENG), Ezequiel Garay (Benfica, POR), Marcos Rojo (Sporting Lisbonne, POR), José Basanta (Monterrey, MEX), Nicolas Otamendi (Atletico Mineiro, BRA), Martin Demichelis (Manchester City, ENG), Gabriel Mercado (River Plate)

Milieux : Javier Mascherano (FC Barcelone, ESP), José Sosa (Atletico Madrid, ESP), Augusto Fernandez (Celta Vigo, ESP), Ricky Alvarez (Inter Milan, ITA), Lucas Biglia (Lazio Rome, ITA), Ever Banega (Newell's Old Boys), Fernando Gago (Boca Juniors), Maxi Rodriguez (Newell's Old Boys), Enzo Perez (Benfica Lisbonne, POR), Fabian Rinaudo (Catane, ITA)

Attaquants : Lionel Messi (FC Barcelone, ESP), Angel Di Maria (Real Madrid, ESP), Rodrigo Palacio (Inter Milan, ITA), Gonzalo Higuaín (Naples, ITA), Sergio Agüero (Manchester City, ENG), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Paris SG, FRA), Franco Di Santo (Werder Brême, GER)

Franco Di Santo is a bit of a surprise!

He must have come on a bundle since his Wigan days

[wilai]

Besides, someone has to carry the training balls for the rest of that attack

[P45Mustang]

Besides, someone has to carry the training balls for the rest of that attack

Yep. Ain't that the truth.

[jellydog]

Besides, someone has to carry the training balls for the rest of that attack

Righto, cannon fodder. If he goes to Brazil he'll be booking it himself.

[uptheos]

Forward thinking Roy says;

Frank Lampard will be England's vice-captain at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil