Every England World Cup Squad Ever: A Complete Run Down

England have a bit of a turbulent history with the FIFA World Cup. There have been the highs of lifting that Jules Rimet aloft, the lows of a Semi Final penalty shootout loss, and pretty much everything else in between.

Despite being one of only eight teams to win the World Cup, it’s been far from a successful competition for a team of England’s calibre, particularly in recent times. How many years of hurt now?

The side have always had relatively good squads, and they’ve changed mightily over the years. Back in 1950 the likes of Blackpool, Preston and Wolves were all represented. This year’s World Cup squad predictions will look more like a who’s who of the top four.

With so much history to look back on across 15 tournaments, we take a look at squads down the years, what year England won the World Cup, and just how they fared the rest of the time…

 

1950 England World Cup Squad

Host: Brazil

Round: Group Stage

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Ted Ditchburn (Tottenham), Bert Williams (Wolves)

Defenders: John Aston (Man United), Bill Eckersley (Blackburn), Alf Ramsey (Tottenham), Laurie Scott (Arsenal), Jim Taylor (Fulham), Billy Wright (Wolves)

Midfielders: Eddie Baily (Tottenham), Henry Cockburn (Man United), Jimmy Dickinson (Portsmouth), Laurie Hughes (Liverpool), Bill Nicholson (Tottenham), Willie Watson (Sunderland)

Forwards: Roy Bentley (Chelsea), Tom Finney (Preston), Wilf Mannion (Middlesbrough), Stanley Matthews (Blackpool), Jackie Milburn (Newcastle), Stan Mortensen (Blackpool), Jimmy Mullen (Wolves).

Some of the true greats of English football featured in the Three Lions squad of 1950 including Sir Stanley Matthews and Sir Tom Finney. Newcastle’s legendary Jackie Milburn was also in the squad, while Stan Mortensen, who played a pivotal role in the Matthews Final of 1953 also playing.

Notably, Alf Ramsey was also in the squad. He’d later go on to lift the trophy as manager in 1966.

 

1954 England World Cup Squad

Host: Switzerland

Round: Quarter Final

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Gil Merrick (Birmingham), Ted Burgin (Sheffield United)

Defenders: Ron Staniforth (Huddersfield Town), Roger Byrne (Manchester United), Billy Wright (Wolves), Ken Green (Birmingham)

Midfielders: Syd Owen (Luton), Jimmy Dickinson (Portsmouth), Bill McGarry (Huddersfield), Albert Quixall (Sheffield Weds),

Forwards: Stanley Matthews (Blackpool), Ivor Broadis (Newcastle), Nat Lofthouse (Bolton), Tommy Taylor (Man United), Tom Finney (Preston), Dennis Wilshaw (Wolves), Jimmy Mullen (Wolves)

Sir Stanley was back in 1954 alongside the likes of captain Billy Wright, Nat Lofthouse and Tom Finney were able to take Walter Winterbottom’s England to the Quarter Final where they would be beaten by a strong Uruguay side.

 

1958 England World Cup Squad

Host: Sweden

Round: Group Stage

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Colin McDonald (Burnley), Eddie Hopkinson (Bolton)

Defenders: Don Howe (West Brom), Tommy Banks (Bolton), Billy Wright (Wolves), Bill Slater (Wolves), Peter Sillett (Chelsea), Maurice Norman (Tottenham)

Midfielders: Eddie Clamp (Wolves), Bryan Douglas (Blackburn), Tom Finney (Preston), Ronnie Clayton (Blackburn), Peter Brabook (Chelsea), Peter Broadbent (Wolves), Alan A’Court (Liverpool)

Forwards: Bobby Robson (West Brom), Derek Kevan (West Brom), Johnny Haynes (Fulham), Bobby Smith (Tottenham), Bobby Charlton (Man United)

1950 saw the arrival of Pele at the World Cup, but he wasn’t enough to stop Brazil and England earning the first goalless draw in the history of the competition in the Group Stage.

The Three Lions, under Winterbottom again, failed to get beyond the Group in a squad that saw the arrival of Bobby Charlton, Johnny Haynes and the late great Sir Bobby Robson.

 

1962 England World Cup Squad

Host: Chile

Round: Quarter Final

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Ron Springett (Sheffield Weds), Alan Hodgkinson (Sheffield United)

Defenders: Jimmy Armfield (Blackpool), Ray Wilson (Huddersfield), Peter Swan (Sheffield Weds), Maurice Norman (Tottenham), Bobby Moore (West Ham), Don Howe (West Brom)

Midfielders: Bobby Robson (West Brom), Ron Flowers (Wolves), John Connelly (Burnley), Bryan Douglas (Blackburn), George Eastham (Arsenal), Jimmy Adamson (Burnley)

Forwards: Jimmy Greaves (Tottenham), Gerry Hitchens (Inter Milan), Johnny Haynes (Fulham), Bobby Charlton (Man United), Roger Hunt (Liverpool), Alan Peacock (Middlesbrough).

Things were starting to come together for England in 1962. The arrival of Bobby Moore, Roger Hunt and Jimmy Greaves to the squad added real quality and saw the side reach the Quarter Final, eventually being knocked out by Brazil, where the great Garrincha netted twice.

 

1966 England World Cup Squad

Host: England

Round: Winners

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Gordon Banks (Leicester), Ron Springett (Sheffield Weds), Peter Bonetti (Chelsea)

Defenders: George Cohen (Fulham), Ray Wilson (Everton), Jack Charlton (Leeds), Bobby Moore (West Ham),  Jimmy Armfield (Blackpool), Gerry Byrne (Liverpool), Norman Hunter (Leeds)

Midfielders: Nobby Stiles (Man United), Alan Ball (Blackpool), Martin Peters (West Ham), Ron Flowers (Wolves), Ian Callaghan (Liverpool), George Eastham (Arsenal)

Forwards: Jimmy Greaves (Tottenham), Bobby Charlton (Man United), Geoff Hurst (West Ham), John Connelly (Man United), Terry Paine (Southampton), Roger Hunt (Liverpool)

It all came together on home soil in 1966. England went into the tournament as one of the World Cup favourites, and ended up beating old foes Germany 4-2 in the Final.

There was plenty of drama throughout the competition. The trophy was stolen only to be found by Pickles the dog in a hedgerow, while VAR would very much have been needed for England’s third goal in the final. To date this is still the only England World Cup winning team and one that’ll go down in history forever.

 

1970 England World Cup Squad

Host: Mexico

Round: Quarter Final

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Gordon Banks (Stoke), Peter Bonetti (Chelsea), Alex Stepney (Manchester United)

Defenders: Keith Newton (Everton), Terry Cooper (Leeds), Brian Labone (Everton), Bobby Moore (West Ham), Tommy Wright (Everton), Nobby Stiles (Man United), Jack Charlton (Leeds), Norman Hunter (Leeds)

Midfielders: Alan Mullery (Tottenham), Alan Ball (Everton), Bobby Charlton (Man United), Martin Peters (Tottenham), Emlyn Hughes (Liverpool), Colin Bell (Man City)

Forwards: Francis Lee (Man City), Geoff Hurst (West Ham), Peter Osgood (Chelsea), Allan Clarke (Leeds), Jeff Astle (West Brom)

England were out to retain their World Cup crown in Mexico 1970 but only managed the Quarter Final. Much of the winning squad returned alongside the likes of Colin Bell, Franny Lee and Emlyn Hughes, but Germany would get revenge with a 3-2 win that saw both Franz Beckenbauer and Gerd Muller get on the scoresheet.

 

1982 England World Cup Squad

Host: Spain

Round: Second Group Stage

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Ray Clemence (Tottenham), Joe Corrigan (Man City), Peter Shilton (Notts Forest)

Defenders: Viv Anderson (Notts Forest), Terry Butcher (Ipswich), Steve Foster (Brighton), Mick Mills (Ipswich), Phil Neal (Liverpool), Kenny Sansom (Arsenal), Phil Thompson (Liverpool)

Midfielders: Trevor Brooking (West Ham), Steve Coppell (Man United), Glenn Hoddle (Tottenham), Terry McDermott (Liverpool), Graham Rix (Arsenal), Bryan Robson (Man United), Ray Wilkins (Man United)

Forwards: Kevin Keegan (Southampton), Trevor Francis (Man City), Paul Mariner (Ipswich), Peter Withe (Aston Villa), Tony Woodcock (1. FC Koln)

After failing to qualify for the 1974 and 1978 World Cup, England failed to really get going and crashed out in the Second Group Stage. Despite the talent of Glenn Hoddle and Kevin Keegan in their ranks, there was no real magic in the side and it would take until 1986 for the nation to really get going again.

 

1986 England World Cup Squad

Host: Mexico

Round: Quarter Final

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Peter Shilton (Southampton), Chris Woods (Norwich), Gary Bailey (Man United)

Defenders: Gary M. Stevens (Everton), Kenny Sansom (Arsenal), Alvin Martin (West Ham), Terry Butcher (Ipswich), Viv Anderson (Arsenal), Terry Fenwick (QPR), Gary A. Stevens (Tottenham)

Midfielders: Glenn Hoddle (Tottenham), Bryan Robson (Man United), Ray Wilkins (AC Milan), Chris Waddle (Tottenham), Peter Reid (Everton), Trevor Steven (Everton), Steve Hodge (Aston Villa)

Forwards: Mark Hateley (AC Milan), Gary Lineker (Everton), John Barnes (Watford), Peter Beardsley (Newcastle), Kerry Dixon (Chelsea)

It just wasn’t to be for England that year as Bobby Robson’s men crashed out against Argentina in one of the most memorable Quarter Final games in history. Both the Hand of God goal and the Goal of the Century were scored by Diego Maradona in that game. For England fans it’s still sickening to watch back and is partly why England and Argentina have such a ferocious rivalry when it comes to football.

 

1990 England World Cup Squad

Host: Italy

Round: Semi Final

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Peter Shilton (Derby), Chris Woods (Rangers), Dave Beasant (Chelsea)

Defenders: Gary Stevens (Rangers), Stuart Pearce (Notts Forest), Des Walker (Notts Forest), Terry Butcher (Rangers), Paul Parker (QPR), Mark Wright (Derby), Tony Dorigo (Chelsea)

Midfielders: Neil Webb (Man United), Bryan Robson (Man United), Chris Waddle (Marseille), John Barnes (Liverpool), Steve McMahon (Liverpool), David Platt (Aston Villa), Steve Hodge (Notts Forest), Paul Gascoigne (Tottenham), Trevor Steven (Rangers)

Forwards: Peter Beardsley (Liverpool), Gary Lineker (Tottenham), Steve Bull (Wolves)

1990 was the closest England have got since 1966 and it was pure heartbreak. They had something special. There was the goals of Lineker, the trickery of Barnes, the leadership and passion of Pearce, Butcher and Robson. Then there was Gazza, a joy to watch and a man you just wanted to put your arm around.

That Semi-Final defeat will go down as one of England’s greatest tournament achievements and if Gazza had had feet perhaps just an inch longer, it may have been so much more than a fourth placed finish.

 

1998 England World Cup Squad

Host: France

Round: Round of 16

Squad:

Goalkeepers: David Seaman (Arsenal), Nigel Martyn (Leeds), Tim Flowers (Blackburn)

Defenders: Sol Campbell (Tottenham), Graeme Le Saux (Chelsea), Tony Adams (Arsenal), Gareth Southgate (Aston Villa), Gary Neville (Man United), Martin Keown (Arsenal), Rio Ferdinand (West Ham)

Midfielders: Paul Ince (Liverpool), David Beckham (Man United), David Batty (Newcastle), Steve McManaman (Liverpool), Darren Anderton (Tottenham), Paul Merson (Middlesbrough), Paul Scholes (Man United), Rob Lee (Newcastle),

Forwards: Alan Shearer (Newcastle), Teddy Sheringham (Man United), Les Ferdinand (Tottenham), Michael Owen (Liverpool)

1998 marked the arrival of Michael Owen, the teenage wonderboy who carried much of England’s hopes on his shoulders. And boy did he deliver. He scored a Goal of the Century of his own in the Round of 16, giving the Argentinians a taste of their own medicine. However, Beckham’s sending-off left the Three Lions light for an entire second-half and extra-time, eventually getting knocked out on penalties.

 

2002 England World Cup Squad

Host: Japan and South Korea

Round: Quarter Final

Squad:

Goalkeepers: David Seaman (Arsenal), Nigel Martyn (Leeds), David James (West Ham)

Defenders: Danny Mills (Leeds), Ashley Cole (Arsenal), Rio Ferdinand (Leeds), Sol Campbell (Arsenal), Wes Brown (Man United), Wayne Bridge (Southampton), Martin Keown (Arsenal), Gareth Southgate (Middlesbrough)

Midfielders: Trevor Sinclair (West Ham), David Beckham (Man United), Paul Scholes (Man United), Owen Hargreaves (Bayern), Joe Cole (West Ham), Nicky Butt (Man United), Kieron Dyer (Newcastle)

Forwards: Robbie Fowler (Leeds), Michael Owen (Liverpool), Emile Heskey (Liverpool), Teddy Sheringham (Tottenham), Darius Vassell (Aston Villa)

David Beckham put the ghost of 1998 behind him and took the captain’s armband for the 2002 World Cup. He took revenge on Argentina, scoring a penalty to beat them 1-0 and led the side all the way to the Quarter Final where they were beaten 2-1 and that looping Ronaldinho goal.

 

2006 England World Cup Squad

Host: Germany

Round: Quarter Final

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Paul Robinson (Leeds), David James (Man City), Scott Carson (Liverpool)

Defenders: Gary Neville (Man United), Ashley Cole (Arsenal), Rio Ferdinand (Man United), John Terry (Chelsea), Sol Campbell (Arsenal), Wayne Bridge (Chelsea), Jamie Carragher (Liverpool)

Midfielders: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), David Beckham (Real Madrid), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Owen Hargreaves (Bayern), Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham), Michael Carrick (Tottenham), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough)

Forwards: Wayne Rooney (Man United), Michael Owen (Newcastle), Peter Crouch (Liverpool), Theo Walcott (Arsenal)

 

2006 really was England’s time to shine. They were one of the favourites in the World Cup odds and had a golden generation of players that included Beckham, Lampard, Gerrard and Rooney.

It was another Quarter Final defeat however, this time on those ever-so-familiar penalties. Lampard, Gerrard and Carragher missed their kicks, giving Ronaldo the winning spot kick.

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2010 England World Cup Squad

Host: South Africa

Round: Round of 16

Squad:

Goalkeepers: David James (Portsmouth), Robert Green (West Ham), Joe Hart (Birmingham)

Defenders: Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Michael Dawson (Tottenham), John Terry (Chelsea), Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa), Matthew Upson (West Ham), Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Ledley King (Tottenham)

Midfielders: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Gareth Barry (Man City), James Milner (Aston Villa), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Man City), Michael Carrick (Man United)

Forwards: Peter Crouch (Tottenham), Wayne Rooney (Man United), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa)

England struggled in South Africa and managed just one victory, a 1-0 win over Slovenia. The Round of 16 looked already beyond them after two draws with the USA and Algeria and it proved to be the case with a 4-1 drubbing against the Germans.

That game wasn’t without its controversy though as Lampard had a goal disallowed when it clearly crossed the line. That would have made the game 2-2 and who knows what would have happened.

 

2014 England World Cup Squad

Hosts: Brazil

Round: Group Stage

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Joe Hart (Man City), Ben Foster (West Brom), Fraser Forster (Celtic)

Defenders: Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Leighton Baines (Everton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Phil Jones (Man United), Luke Shaw (Southampton)

Midfielders: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), James Milner (Man City), Raheem Sterling (Liverpool), Ross Barkley (Everton), Adam Lallana (Southampton)

Forwards: Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Wayne Rooney (Man United), Danny Welbeck (Man United), Rickie Lambert (Southampton)

2014 really was a tournament to forget for England, crashing out of the group stage and earning one point in the process.

With Gareth Southgate at the helm now, they’ll be looking to go way beyond Group G at Russia 2018. Many of that 2014 squad will once again flying out and it’s up to them to make peace with such a dreadful result in Brazil.

 

2018 England World Cup Squad

Hosts: Russia

Round: Semi-final

Squad:

1	Jordan Pickford
2	Kyle Walker
3	Danny Rose
4	Eric Dier
5	John Stones
6	Harry Maguire
7	Jesse Lingard
8	Jordan Henderson
9	Harry Kane
10	Raheem Sterling
11	Jamie Vardy
12	Kieran Trippier
13	Jack Butland
14	Danny Welbeck
15	Gary Cahill
16	Phil Jones
17	Fabian Delph
18	Ashley Young
19	Marcus Rashford
20	Dele Alli
21	Ruben Loftus-Cheek
22	Trent Alexander-Arnold
23	Nick Pope

How will England get on this winter at the 2022 Qatar World Cup? See our latest World Cup 2022 betting tips to find out what our football tipsters think.

 

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