FIFA World Cup 2010: England's Squad

Coach Fabio Capello has announced his final roster for England's FIFA World Cup squad. The 23 men going to South Africa are:

Goalkeepers: Joe Hart, David James, Robert Green

Defenders: Jaim Carragher, Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand, Glen Johnson, Ledley King, John Terry, Matthew Upson, Stephen Warnock

Midfielders: Gareth Barry, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Aaron Lennon, James Milner, Shaun Wright-Phillips

Forwards: Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe, Emile Heskey, Wayne Rooney

The main surprise was the selection of Wright-Phillips over Theo Walcott. Walcott went to the 2006 World Cup although he didn't feature in any of the national squad's games that year. 

Barry fared well enough in a fitness test this morning to make the squad after injuring ankle ligaments on May 5th. Reports suggest he could be fit enough to play in the opening match against the USA.

Defender Leighton Baines missed after failing to impress in the provisional squad's recent friendlies. He looked out of his league against Mexico and didn't feature against Japan.

The rest of the squad was pretty much as expected, with Darren Bent, Michael Dawson, Tom Huddlestone, Scott Parker, and Adam Johnson being the other players left out.

Parker and Dawson didn't feature in either of the friendlies and were widely expected to miss out on making the final 23.

With Barry passing his fitness test, there was no real room for Huddlestone, who did little in the two friendlies to merit a place on the squad.

Bent impressed in the domestic season, scoring 24 goals this season. However, with more experienced strikers on the preliminary squad, he was cut.

Johnson had an impressive season after moving to Manchester City in January. However, Capello chose not to take him to South Africa after he made only one substitute appearance for England.

Capello has always said that he would pick players based on form and only if they were playing regularly. However, on this occasion he has chosen to go for experience over form and playing time.

Whether or not Capello has made the correct decisions remains to be seen.