England World Cup 2022 squad, predicted line-up vs Senegal and star players

Everton's Jordan Pickford remains Gareth Southgate's undisputed No.1.

Indeed, it seems unlikely that either Newcastle United's Nick Pope or Aaron Ramsdale will see any game time in Qatar.

Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire received their fair share of criticism before the tournament got under way but both have performed well in Qatar to date.

Kyle Walker has also reclaimed his starting spot after recovering from an injury that ruled him out of England's first couple of games.

Sadly, though, Ben White has already gone home for personal reasons.

England have a young and talented midfield that includes Mason Mount, Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham, as well as the wise old head that is Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson.

Indeed, Southgate's dilemma is who to leave out. Henderson replaced Mount in the starting line-up for the win over Wales and could hold on to his spot against Senegal.

A welcome selection headache, but a headache nonetheless. Raheem Sterling and Bukayo Saka were both excellent against Iran, but disappointed against the USMNT.

Phil Foden and Marcus Rashford then starred in the win over Wales, meaning Southgate now has a couple of massive calls to make against Senegal.

Elsewhere, Jack Grealish and Callum Wilson have shown that they are decent options off the bench.

Harry Kane, meanwhile, has contributed only assists thus far, but don't be surprised if he catches fire in the knockout stage, just as he did at Euro 2020.

Given his struggles and lack of game time at Manchester United this season, Maguire's performances in Qatar have been quite remarkable. The centre-back was easily their best player in the horror show against the US.

In midfield, Jude Bellingham showed his superstar potential against Iran and, after disappointing in the draw with the Americans, he looked a menace again in the win over Wales.

Up front, Rashford is England's most on-form forward right now and looks capable of challenging the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Cody Gakpo for the Golden Boot.

Walker's return to fitness means he should retain his starting spot against Senegal. There might be the temptation to move Kieran Trippier over to the left flank but Shaw has done nothing wrong to date.

In midfield, Southgate must decide whether to start the more defensively minded Henderson in a midfield three or be more adventurous, and go with either Mount or Foden as the No.10. The Man City man is clearly the more exciting option and should clearly start, whether that's in an attacking midfield role or out wide.

However, Bukayo Saka was scintillating against Iran and should be recalled, while it would be insane to drop Rashford given he's caught fire.

England best XI (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw; Rice, Bellingham; Saka, Foden, Rashford; Kane.

There are always players who are expected to feature, but miss out due to tactical reasons, injuries or other unforeseen circumstances and the 2022 World Cup is no different.

Chelsea's Reece James picked up a knee injury in his side's Champions League encounter with Milan and was subsequently ruled out of the tournament in Qatar, with club team-mate Ben Chilwell suffering a hamstring problem that ended his World Cup dreams.

Jadon Sancho has missed the cut after finding form hard to come by at Manchester United, while Tammy Abraham has not done enough at Roma to land a striking berth.

Fikayo Tomori is another Englishman catching the eye in Italy, as a Serie A title winner with AC Milan, but there is no place for him in Southgate's plans.

Dean Henderson left Manchester United for a loan spell at Nottingham Forest in the hope of earning himself a World Cup spot, but the confident goalkeeper has been left disappointed, while Tyrone Mings, Marc Guehi, Emile Smith Rowe, James Ward-Prowse, Jarrod Bowen and Ollie Watkins are among the others to have missed the call they were hoping for.