The Kingston footballers who could play at the World Cup

Declan Rice and Luke Shaw, both born in Kingston, are expected to be named in the England squad for next month’s World Cup in Qatar.

Manager Gareth Southgate privately picked a 55-man squad last week and will reportedly announce the 26 players who have made the cut on November 10.

Both players have been favourites under Southgate and were included in his previous for the Nations League matches in September.

Rice was educated at Grey Court School, Richmond, but relocated to Dagenham in east London aged 15 after signing for West Ham United.

He could expect to be England’s first choice central midfielder and an important part of Southgate’s team because of his leadership and defensive ability.

Rice made his international debut in 2019 and has appeared 34 times for his country but he also played three matches for the Republic of Ireland before making a controversial switch to England.

It would be a first World Cup experience for Rice. His Kingston compatriot Shaw played in the 2014 tournament.

Shaw lived in Moseley, Surrey and made his England debut as an 18-year-old against Denmark eight years ago.

The Manchester United left-back scored the Three Lions’s goal in the delayed Euro 2020 final at Wembley that England eventually lost on penalties to Italy.

He faces competition from Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell to start at left wing-back but Southgate has often preferred Shaw in that role.

England go to Qatar on the back of a six-match winless run but there is always hope that after 56 years, Rice and Shaw can be part of the team that finally wins the World Cup.