Phillips is one of four Yorkshiremen, along with Harry Maguire, Kyle Walker and John Stones, in a squad with 12 2018 semi-finalists.

Newcastle United striker Callum Wilson and Leicester City playmaker James Maddison are included after three years away. In Wilson's case, that is largely due to injury but Southgate was thought to be unhappy with Maddison's attitude. Both have been inarguable form lately.

Few of the 26 selections, though, owe much to recent form.

Phillips, who returned from shoulder surgery in Manchester City's win over Chelsea on Tuesday, has played just 54 minutes since leaving Leeds United in July.

Southgate felt he could not overlook England's player of 2020-21.

"We are aware he is not going to be able to play seven 90 minutes,” said manager Southgate. “But he’s available and free of injury.

"We have Declan Rice as a holding midfielder. Hendo (Jordan Henderson) can play there but it’s not his No 1 position.

RISK: Kalvin Phillips on his last competitive start, for England against Hungary in June

"Kalvin is a super player and we feel that is a risk worth taking.”

Sheffield-born club-mate Kyle Walker had groin surgery on October 6 and is not expected to play against Iran or the USA.

Former Hull City and Sheffield United centre-back Maguire travels despite only four Manchester United starts this season, but Reece James misses out through injury.

"Reece wasn't going to be available until the latter end if everything went perfectly," said Southgate. "There's too many unknowns.

"And it's a bit arrogant to bring someone who isn't available for the group. You'd be dropping him into maybe a quarter-final after eight weeks out.

"Kyle's not back in full training yet but he'll be available before the end of the group stage.

"We’ve picked our more experienced defenders and we think the younger ones have got some really good qualities, but we don’t think they’ve done enough to push the more experienced ones out.”

Maddison has six goals and four assists this season and Southgate “likes the fact he finds pockets of space, gets turned and plays forward. His set-piece delivery is outstanding, and he can score goals from distance. Against low-block defences, that is a little bit different to some of our other players."

Former Blades goalkeeper Dean Henderson and ex-Barnsley loanee Ivan Toney missed out, but Conor Gallagher was chosen.

None play for Yorkshire clubs, although Jordan Pickford (Bradford City), Aaron Ramsdale and Connor Coady (Sheffield United), Ben White (Leeds United) and Kieran Trippier (Barnsley) have.

Meanwhile there was disappointment for Leeds's Mateusz Klich and Robin Koch, and Huddersfield Town's Michal Helik.

Germany left out Mats Hummels as well as Koch, whilst Poland overlooked Klich and Helik.

It means Brenden Aaronson, Tyler Adams, Rasmus Kristensen and Hull-born Dan James – on loan at Fulham – will be Leeds's only players in Qatar unless Spain chose Diego Llorente or Rodrigo on Friday.

Gareth Southgate argues Kalvin Phillips 'worth the risk' with young fringe players not good enough to make England World Cup squad