Joe Cole has announced his starting squad for the World Cup in England (Photos: Getty)

Joe Cole has urged England boss Gareth Southgate to add two Arsenal stars to his squad ahead of the Three Lions’ opening game.

England will start the World Cup season against Iran on Monday at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha.

Southgate’s side will try to take it one step further in Qatar after reaching the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and runners-up at Euro 2020.

The England manager has named a 26-man squad for the 2022 World Cup, but it remains to be seen which players will make the starting eleven as Southgate face some tough decisions ahead of their opening game against Iran.

Former England midfielder Cole believes Southgate should put form over reputation, choosing Bukayo Saka over Raheem Sterling and Ben White over Harry Maguire.

Sterling is one of the more experienced players in Southgate’s squad, having started five of England’s eight games in 2022.

But the 27-year-old has had a disappointing start to his Chelsea career, scoring just five goals in 19 Manchester City appearances following a £50 million transfer from Manchester City last summer.

England are in Qatar ahead of the World Cup opener (Image: Getty)

Maguire’s place in the England squad is also at stake, as the 29-year-old was dropped by Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag earlier this season.

“As much as I love Raheem [Sterling]”He’s out of shape,” Cole said on William Hill’s Stripped Podcast. Bukayo Saka plays for the side at the top of the Premier League.

“It will evolve as the tournament progresses. Also five substitutions – it’s actually a 16 player game, so most players get a shot.

‘I would go [Jordan] Pickford in goal, central halves I go [John] stones & [Ben] White in the group stage.

‘[Kieran] Trippier on the way back [Luke] Shaw left back. Then I would play Declan’s midfield [Rice], [Jude] Bellingham and Mason [Mount] – Declan then holds the two tens that gave him permission to move forward.

“Then of course I would play Harry Kane up front, then probably start with Phil Foden on the right and then Saka on the left.

“There are four players who will play regularly: Pickford, Stones, Rice and Kane. You don’t undress Kane until the game is over.

“It’s going to be a problem for the other strikers because they know they’re going to play second fiddle there. You can take it everywhere.

Ben White has helped Arsenal get clear in the Premier League title race

Ben White helped Arsenal stay clean in the Premier League title race (Picture: Getty)

“I hate it when people say Gareth [Southgate] I don’t know what he’s doing – he’s the most successful England manager since Alf Ramsey, that’s a fact.

“He has all the information and can see how they train. So let’s all get behind Gareth.

Leicester City playmaker James Maddison was one of the players sweating over his place in England’s World Cup squad and Cole is delighted to see him.

Maddison, 25, is in excellent form for the Foxes, scoring seven goals and providing four assists in 13 Premier League games this season.

James Maddison was part of Gareth Southgate's squad

James Maddison has been added to Gareth Southgate’s squad (Image: Getty)

Cole added: “The big thing for me was [James] madison He has to play in form and quality, but also in personality: he is an English player.

“He will not shy away from responsibility; he gets the ball. Later in the tournament there will be times when the game can be even and as a midfielder you have to be brave and get the ball and it will do it.

“They can play number 10 deeper now and we need to speed up our games. I’m so glad he’s here.”

After the start of the World Cup against Iran, England will face the US and Wales, who are trying to break out of Group B.