England have confirmed their World Cup squad numbers for Qatar 2022. So, HITC Football has looked at which players Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka follows by wearing the #17 shirt.
The Three Lions travel to Qatar to take on Iran, the United States of America and Wales in Group B. Gareth Southgate led his nation to the semi-finals at the last World Cup in Russia in 2018. It marked the furthest that England had reached since the semi-finals for Italia 90.
Saka had not made his debut for England’s U18, 19 or 21 squads when the Three Lions lost to Belgium in the 2018 third-place play-off. Southgate later handed the Arsenal product his senior bow in October 2020 and has gone on to start the 21-year-old in 13 of his 20 games.
Saka registered his fifth assist with England during his last cap to draw 3-3 with Germany in the UEFA Nations League in September. He also assisted once over four games during Euro 2020 and boasts four international goals. But the forward last hit home in November 2021.
Southgate has now named Saka in England’s squad for the 2022 Qatar World Cup after five goals and six assists in 20 games for Arsenal this season. His haul includes four goals and six assists in 14 Premier League games. No other English player has laid on more than four.
England confirm their World Cup squad numbers with Saka to wear the #17 shirt
England start their World Cup campaign against Iran in Group B on November 21 at 13:00 GMT. Ties with the USA (25/11, 19:00 GMT) and Wales (29/11, 19:00 GMT) then follow for Southgate’s side. They may face Qatar, Ecuador, Senegal or the Netherlands in the last 16.
Ahead of flying to Qatar, England have confirmed their squad numbers with Saka wearing the #17 shirt at the World Cup. So, with that in mind, HITC Football has taken a look at the Three Lions players who wore the #17 shirt during recent editions of the FIFA tournament.
Delph in 2018 is the last player to wear the #17 shirt for England at a World Cup
Fabian Delph is the last player to wear the #17 shirt for England at the World Cup. The 32-year-old took the number at Russia 2018 and featured four times under Southgate during the tournament. He played in two Group G ties, the quarter-final and third-place play-off.
Southgate only started the midfielder in the Three Lions’ final group stage fixture and their third-place play-off, both against Belgium. Delph featured for just 27 minutes with his first appearance against Panama and the final 13 minutes against Sweden while already 2-0 up.
Delph went on to get the last of his 20 caps as England beat Switzerland on penalties in the UEFA Nations League third-place play-off in June 2019. He had earned his debut under Roy Hodgson in September 2014. The Bradford-born midfielder also started in 15 of his games.
While at the club level, Delph retired in September 2022 following his release by Everton in June when his contract expired. He had only played 41 games across all competitions with the Toffees after leaving Manchester City in 2019 as a two-time Premier League champion.
Milner wore the #17 shirt during the Three Lions’ horrendous run at Brazil 2014
James Milner wore the #17 shirt during England’s horrendous time at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil under Hodgson. The Three Lions failed to win any of their Group D meetings after losing to Italy and Uruguay. Milner only played during England’s 0-0 draw with Costa Rica.
Hodgson started Milner against Costa Rica and afforded the 61-cap engine 76 minutes on the pitch. It marked the 36-year-old Liverpool star’s final appearance at a World Cup after three games at South Africa 2010. He retired from international football in August 2016.
Capello gave Wright-Phillips the #17 shirt in South Africa after snubbing Walcott
Fabio Capello handed Shaun Wright-Phillips the #17 shirt for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa after the former England coach snubbed Theo Walcott. Per The Guardian, the Italian felt he could not name both forwards, along with Aaron Lennon, in the Three Lions’ squad.
Wright-Phillips would go on to play in three games but never started a match. Capello gave him 59 minutes against the USA in the Three Lions’ first Group C tie after Milner picked up an early booking. He then only played a further 30 minutes across their next three fixtures.
Capello only trusted Wright-Phillips to play three minutes in England’s 4-1 Round of 16 loss to Germany, as well. The 41-year-old then played one friendly in September and another in October 2010 with his last of 36 international appearances after debuting in August 2004.
Jenas failed to take the #17 shirt onto the pitch at Germany 2006 under Eriksson
Jermaine Jenas took ownership of the #17 shirt as England went to Germany for the World Cup in 2006. Yet he never stepped foot onto the pitch under Sven-Goran Eriksson over the Three Lions’ five matches. The 21-cap winger watched all of their fixtures from the bench.
Eriksson had given Jenas his England debut in February 2003 and the forward remained in the Three Lions fold to November 2009. But the ex-Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur and Queen Park Rangers attacker only offered his country one goal and two assists in total.
Sheringham enjoyed 88 minutes at the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea
Teddy Sheringham enjoyed 88 minutes of action at the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea wearing the #17. But the 51-cap striker never started a game as England reached the quarter-finals. Instead, each of his four appearances over five games came from the bench.
The former Tottenham and Manchester United forward also failed to score or provide any assists across his appearances. He had similarly failed to score or create a goal at the 1998 World Cup in France. Sheringham started both of his two appearances at the 1998 edition.
Hoddle rarely trusted England’s #17, Lee, at the 1998 World Cup in France.
Glenn Hoddle rarely trusted England’s #17 at the 1998 World Cup in France, Rob Lee. The 20-cap midfielder only featured for 11 minutes in one of the Three Lions’ four matches at the tournament. He played in the closing stages of their last Group G tie against Colombia.
The 1998 tournament also proved to be the former Newcastle star’s only World Cup with England. He had made his debut in October 1994 – following the last World Cup the Three Lions failed to qualify for in the USA – and remained a part of the team until October 1998.
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