The 34-year-old has been called up by Roy Hodgson for the first time after being left out of the squad for Euro 2012, despite the Three Lions manager previously suggesting that the former skipper would not be considered for international duty.
Phil Jagielka is the man to make way for Ferdinand, who will been joined in the squad by his United team-mate Michael Carrick, as he comes in for injured Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere.
Michael Dawson's fine form for Tottenham has also been rewarded with his first call-up in two years, replacing Joleon Lescott, who has been starved of first-team football at Manchester City this season.
There are also recalls for fellow Spurs players Jermain Defoe and Scott Parker, while Ben Foster makes his anticipated return to the England fold after recently coming out of international retirement, and Everton midfielder Leon Osman earns another call-up.
| ENGLAND SQUAD IN FULL |
|||
| GOALKEEPERS | |||
| FRASER FORSTER |  |
BEN FOSTER |  |
| JOE HART |  |
||
| DEFENDERS | |||
| LEIGHTON BAINES |  |
RIO FERDINAND |  |
| GARY CAHILL |  |
GLEN JOHNSON |  |
| ASHLEY COLE | |
CHRIS SMALLING | |
| MICHAEL DAWSON |  |
KYLE WALKER | |
| MIDFIELDERS | |||
| MICHAEL CARRICK | |
JAMES MILNER | |
| TOM CLEVERLEY | |
LEON OSMAN | |
| STEVEN GERRARD | |
SCOTT PARKER | |
| FRANK LAMPARD | |
ALEX OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN |  |
| AARON LENNON | |
THEO WALCOTT | |
| ASHLEY YOUNG | |
||
| STRIKERS | |||
| JERMAIN DEFOE | |
DANIEL STURRIDGE | |
| WAYNE ROONEY | |
DANNY WELBECK | |