In, or out? The joy and despair of World Cup squad selection

Fifty-five England players in a provisional World Cup squad will be contacted before the final 26-man selection is publicly announced. Some will learn they are going to the US, Canada, and Mexico, while others will be told they are staying at home. BBC pundits share personal experiences of receiving tournament call-ups and the emotional impact of making or missing the cut. Martin Keown recalls the aftermath of a major England squad omission. Micah Richards describes being recalled for an England match under caretaker manager Stuart Pearce, expecting further celebration after Manchester City’s Premier League title in May 2012, and waiting at home for Roy Hodgson’s call. When his phone rang, it was Pearce calling, creating surprise and uncertainty.

"It is safe to say none of the 55 England players named in Thomas Tuchel's provisional World Cup squad will let their phones leave their sight for the next few hours. Whether they are in or out, by the time the England manager publicly announces his final 26-man selection on Friday, everyone will have been contacted - and told their fate. For some, the shock will be the fact they will be on the plane to the US, Canada and Mexico - for others, it will be hearing how they are staying at home."

"Two days after Manchester City won the Premier League title in May 2012, England boss Roy Hodgson was set to name his squad for the European Championship finals. City right-back Micah Richards had spent much of the past 48 hours partying after his side's famous 'Aguero moment' and now he was expecting more reason to celebrate. "I'd been recalled for England's previous game, under caretaker manager Stuart Pearce, and played against the Netherlands in February," Richards remembered."

""I'd made 23 starts for City that season to help us win the league and one of my rivals for the England right-back slot, Kyle Walker, was definitely out of the tournament injured. "I'd kind of convinced myself I was going to Poland and Ukraine, and I was at home, literally sitting and waiting for the call from Roy... but, when my phone rang, it was Pearce's name that flashed up. "I thought, 'this is weird, why is he calling me?' He was my old City boss but also the England Under-21 coach at the ti""

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