England World Cup Squad for Brazil 2014 – in pictures

One: Joe Hart: Manchester City: Age 27: Caps 39: World Cups: debutant Failed to make the cut for South Africa four years ago after being included in Fabio Capello's provisional squad but, barring, injuries Hart will travel to Rio as England's number one. Fresh from winning the Premier League with City he has re-emerged strongly after being dropped by Manuel Pellegrini for a month last autumn.
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Two: Fraser Forster: Celtic: Age 26. Caps: One: World Cups: Debutant The son of a Tyneside based QC, Forster is a product of the famous Wallsend Boys Club. One of the most successful players to emerge from Newcastle United's academy in recent years, Celtic could well struggle to hold onto him this summer. Hit headlines last year when it emerged he had dated Dr Leah Totton, the 2013 winner of BBC's The Apprentice. Photograph: Nick Potts/PA

Three: Ben Foster: West Brom. Age 31. Caps six. World Cup: Debutant. Proof that there is life for footballers after leaving Manchester United, Foster surely deserves some Brazilian summer after spending much of his career plagued by assorted injuries. Took a lengthy break from international football in 2011 to help his body heal but is now restored to full fitness and played a key role in helping West Brom avert relegation.
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Four: Glen Johnson: Liverpool: Right back. Age 29: Caps 50: World Cups: One (South Africa 2010) A much changed man from the Under-21 international Peter Taylor once sent home from an international trip for indiscipline. Versatile - he can also operate as a wing back or emergency left back - and pacey, Johnson is much better going forward than defending. He also must pick himself up following the disappointment of Liverpool's title concession.
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Five: Phil Jones: Manchester United: (Utility) Age 22: Caps nine: World Cups: Debutant Touch and go for the Brazil flight as has two weeks to prove his fitness following a shoulder injury. A physical powershouse variously likened to Duncan Edwards and Franco Baresi, the former Blackurn player can operate at centre half, right back or as a defensive midfielder. Sir Alex Ferguson once suggested he possessed the potential to become United's "best ever player."
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Six: Gary Cahill: Chelsea (centre half): Age 28: Caps 22 Technically adroit and pacey Cahill seems to have eliminated the odd, Titus Bramble-esque, concentration lapses which used to lead to the occasional bad mistakes which blemished his otherwise excellent game at Bolton. Has thrived alongside John Terry at Stamford Bridge and some pundits feel it is a shame their partnership will not be reprised in Brazil.
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Seven: Phil Jagielka : Everton (centre half) Age: 31: Caps 24: World Cup: Debutant Phil Nikodem Jagielka was also eligible to represent Poland but opted for England. A fine centre half also capable of operating at right back and in central midfield and a tremendous character he represented a bargain when Everton paid Sheffield United £4m for him. Recently recovered from serious hamstring trouble must fully prove his fitness.
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Eight: Chris Smalling: Manchester United: (centre half or right back) Age 24: Caps 10: World Cup: Debutant Roy Hodgson must trust Smalling has recovered from the tendendecy to homesickness which, as a teenager, forced the termination of his professional contract at Middlesbrough in the wake of a lucrative move from Maidstone. Returned south to Fulham where he blossomed under Hodgson before being poached by United. Now happy in the north west Smalling can play right back or centre half.
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Nine: Leighton Baines: Everton (left back) Age 29: Caps 22: World Cup: Debutant. Proof that sometimes the best things really do come in small packages. At 5ft 7 Baines is one of the very best crossers of the ball, free kick specialists and defenders in the Premier League. Would have won many more caps had Ashley Cole not been around. Made provisional squad for South Africa but missed cut. Arrrives bolstered by excellent season under Roberto Martinez at Everton.
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Ten: Luke Shaw: Southampton (left back) Age: 18: Caps: One: World Cups: Debutant The latest prodigy to emerge from Southampton's excellent academy, Shaw is said to be set for a £27m summer move to Manchester United. Fast, quick, technically very impressive, he is better going forward than defending and, given his youth, still has much to learn. Mature for his age but an extremely big test for one so young. Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Eleven: Steven Gerrard: Liverpool: (central midfielder) Age 33: Caps 109: World Cups: Two (Germany 2006 and South Africa 2010) The Captain. Once described as the world's best footballer by Zinedine Zidane, Gerrard will be 34 by the time he reaches Brazil and knows this is his international swansong. Must overcome the disappointment of his rare slip having arguably led to his beloved Liverpool losing the title. Hugely versatile but deployed as much more of "a quarterback" these days, his previous tournament experience promises to be invaluable both on and off the pitch.
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Twelve: Jack Wilshere: Arsenal (midfield) Age 22: Caps 15: World Cups: Debutant Arsène Wenger says Wilshere boasts "Spanish technique and an English heart." Unfortunately he also possesses a body sometimes apparently made of glass. Newly recovered from a fractured foot but Arsenal believe he's ready for Brazil. Even so injuries dictate Wilshere has participated in only 144 minutes of the qualifying campaign. Will a midfielder whose talent should propel him to the epicentre of things be reduced to being a mere squad player?
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Thirteen: Jordan Henderson: Liverpool (midfield) Age 23: Caps: Eight. World Cups: Debutant How we laughed when Steve Bruce, his old Sunderland manager claimed Henderson was worth £40m. When he joined Liverpool for £20m the midfielder - who can operate centrally or wide on the right - was initially dubbed an expensive flop but Brendan Rodgers has proved that Bruce really was onto something after all. Sir Alex Ferguson might not have liked his gait but Henderson is now an integral part of Liverpool's midfield, enjoying an instinctive rapport with Steven Gerrard. Big on energy and stamina, his vision, incision and passing range have blossomed under Rodgers.
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Fourteen: Frank Lampard: Chelsea (midfield) Age 35: Caps 103: World Cups: Two (Germany 2006, South Africa 2010) Lampard turns 36 on June 20th so this is surely his farewell to the international stage. Like Steven Gerrard, his experience and attitude are likely to be as important behind the scenes as on the pitch - but still very capable of arriving late in the box to score vital goals. Unlike some of his younger midfield colleagues this favourite son of José Mourinho is well versed in the art of controlling games and dictating tempos.
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Sixteen: Ross Barkley: Everton:(Midfield) Age 20: Caps: Three. World Cups: Debutant An extremely strong and extraordinarily skilful creative midfielder capable of scoring stunning goals, Roberto Martínez has described Barkley as an amalgam of Paul Gascoigne and Michael Ballack. A Nigerian grandfather offered him an international choice but Barkley would have collected more England caps by now but for the badly broken leg which interrupted his teenage progress. Everton's most exciting young player since Wayne Rooney. Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Fifteen: James Milner: Manchester City (versatile midfielder): Age: 28: Caps 45 World Cups: One (South Africa 2010) The sort of low maintenance international coaches call "a good tourist". A splendid team-mate, Milner does not play every game for Manchester City and is arguably the victim of the sort of versatility which sees him capable of performing not only as a wide midfielder but centrally and even at full back. Possibly lacks the creativity required to change games at the very highest level but a footballer managers invariably trust.
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Seventeeen: Adam Lallana: Southampton (midfield) : Age 26: Caps Three: World Cups: debutant. Wonderfully two footed and capable of playing with real intelligence and incision right across midfield, Lallana offers proof that, sometimes, speed and strength are not everything that matters in a footballer. Has risen from League One obscurity to the brink of a mooted £20m move to Liverpool. Was originally due to have been married on June 14 but, encouraged by Roy Hodgson, brought the wedding forward.
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Eighteen: Raheem Sterling: Liverpool (winger). Age: 19: Caps Two; World Cups: Debutant Born in Kingston Jamaica, Sterling came to England at the age of five. A goal-scoring, game-changing, pacey, tricky, winger this product of QPR's academy has not always been a model professional off the field but seems to be growing up under Brendan Rodger's guidance at Liverpool. Exciting and exhilarating to watch but his presence still represents a gamble on Roy Hodgson's part.
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Nineteen: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: Arsenal (winger) Age: 20: Caps 14: World Cups: Debutant. The Ox is a fabulous dribbler and perceptive passer capable of playing in a more central attacking midfield role as well as on the wing. The privately educated son of the former England winger Mark Chamberlain is mature, immensely likeable and expected to be "a good tourist." Yet another product of Southampton's much vaunted academy. Has had his injury problems this season though.
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Wayne Rooney: Manchester United: Striker. Age 28: Caps 89: World Cups: Two (Germany and South Africa) Roy Hodgson must trust there will be no repeat of that red card against Portugal in 2006 - not to mention Cristiano Ronaldo's wink. Yet if Rooney's temper seems better controlled these days, he is still to prove he can make his undeniable talent really count on the world stage. Much may hinge on where and how Hodgson deploys Manchester United's highest paid player but Rooney has been niggled by injuries lately. Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Daniel Sturridge: Liverpool. Striker. Age 24: Caps 10. World Cup: Debutant. The other half of Liverpool's SAS, Sturridge is not as good as Luis Suárez but remains capable of devastating defences. He is described as "a nine-and-a-half" by Brendan Rodgers - in other words a mix of a classic no9 and no10. Big on pace and technique, Sturridge models himself on Thierry Henry. Ranks as one of Roy Hodgson's most dangerous weapons. Do not bet against him scoring some vital goals in Brazil.
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Danny Welbeck: Manchester United: Striker: Age 23: Caps 21. World Cup: debutant Gifted … and yet … in racing parlance, Welbeck has not really trained on properly. Has never quite fulfilled the golden future Sir Alex Ferguson once predicted for him. Clever and very good at linking play, Welbeck arguably does not score enough goals. Lacks consistency but looks the sort of player who could benefit from Louis van Gaal's coaching next season. Russia 2018 might yet prove his stage but don't bet on anything too special in Brazil.
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Rickie Lambert: Southampton: Striker: Age 32: Caps: Four: World Cup: Debutant. A über accomplished penalty taker and predator supreme, Lambert is proof that there is talent in the lower divisions - not to mention life after 30 for strikers. Alan Pardew's judgement was questioned when the then Southampton manager paid Bristol Rovers £1m for his services but Lambert modified a slightly unprofessional lifestyle and has barely looked back. Blessed with brilliant, instinctive positional sense.
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Stand-by one: John Ruddy: Norwich: Goalkeeper: Age: 27: Caps: One: World Cups: Debutant Dubbed "the Iceman" it is not Ruddy's fault Norwich have just been relegated. Trouble with injuries at the wrong time plus the Carrow Road club's travails have conspired to hinder his international career. Photograph: Catherine Ivill/AMA/ Catherine Ivill/AMA/Matthew A

Stand-by two: Jon Flanagan: Liverpool: Left back. Age 21. Caps: Zero. World Cups: Debutant. A right-footed left back who can also operate at right back, Flanagan has flourished under Brendan Rodgers this season. Ashley Cole's retirement has propelled him a little close to a seat on the plane. Photograph: BPI/Marc Atkins/ BPI/Marc Atkins/BPI/Corbis

Stand-by three; John Stones: Everton. Centre half. Age 19 : Caps None: World Cup: Debutant. A product of Barnsley's academy, Stones offers a ball playing rebuttal of theories that you cannot find a footballing centre half outside the Premier League. Has thrived under Roberto Martínez, excelling as a more than able deputy when Phil Jagielka was injured. If Phil Jones's fails to recover from his shoulder injury, Roy Hodgson has said Stones, who can also play at right back and turns 20 at the end of May, will take his place. Photograph: Chris Brunskill/Getty Images

Stand-by four: Michael Carrick: Manchester United: Midfielder: Age 32: Caps 31: World Cups: Two: (Germany 2006, South Africa 2010) This looks like his last stab at World Cup glory but is now dependent on another midfielder dropping out. At his best a fabulous passer capable of playing as an emergency sweeper, there is a sense of potential slightly unfulfilled about Carrick.
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Stand-by five: Tom Cleverley: Manchester United: Midfielder Age 24: Caps 13: World Cup debutant Would he even have been considered for stand-by status had he not been a Manchester United player? The midfielder has his fans - Roberto Martínez notable amongst them - but looks another United under-achiever crying out for Louis van Gaal's coaching. A latent talent but hard to argue Cleverley merits a place on the plane.
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Stand-by six: Andy Carroll. West Ham. Age 25: Striker. caps: Nine: World Cups: Debutant West Ham's very own divine ponytail Carroll's season has been ruined by injury but he remains a dangerous old fashioned centre half of the sort defenders hate playing against. Excellent in the air and better on the ground than people think - his left foot is decent - the problem with Carroll is that his presence tempts teams into playing over-directly. Matters are complicated by the fact Carroll, not expecting to be on stand-by, has already flown to Dubai on holiday.
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Stand-by seven: Jermain Defoe: FC Toronto: Striker. Age 31: Caps 55. World Cups: One (South Africa 2010) Was on the stand-by list for Germany 2006 and missed out so will not be expecting a miracle. The former Spurs forward is a classic penalty area predator but some pundits would have preferred to see Sunderland's Connor Wickham selected ahead of a striker playing in the MLS.
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian