3.20pm BST
Right, then. That's about it from me. Stick around on site for all the news and further reaction. But from me, cheerio!
3.20pm BST
You'd have to say that England will have done well if they get out of their group knocking out one of Italy and Uruguay would really be a feather in Hodgson's cap and that, if they do indeed reach the last 16, a tie against either Colombia, Ivory Coast, Japan or Greece isn't the most intimidating. If I was a betting man I'd say the quarter-finals were likely to be the place where it all comes to a juddering halt. But, like everyone else, surely the least any England fan could hope for would be that they play in a more entertaining and enterprising fashion than they have in the last three or four tournaments. And with this squad, there is a chance.
3.06pm BST
A few thoughts from below the line:
If we were playing in 10 degrees I genuinely think we'd have an outside chance.
But in the heat we will have the usual problem of keeping the ball.
I actually think it is a good squad, The only people I would question is Lampard and Baines. Baines kinda showed in the friendlies he can defend against top players and despite his cross and free-kicks could be a liability. Cole and Shaw would have been better combo of left-backs.
Lampard I just don't get. He doesn't have the legs so is no longer a goalscoring threat, doesn't have Gerrard's range of passing, so to me he seems like a passenger. It is dangerous to name a squad with no specialist defensive midfielder. Delph would have been a better option than Lampard, he might not be a big name the press lord but he has the attributes of speed and tackling that could protect England's week defence.
Fairly decent squad, but Smalling. Smalling? Really. Smalling! Stones should have gone, plays centre back and has played right back. He is also not terrible, like Smalling, and has played with two other members of the back four.Shawcross should have gone, but we gave up on that when Caulker was named in the last squad!
No surprises. Glad Shaw is going but would have taken Cole over Baines. I'd like Shaw to start now he's going. Wilshere is a big gamble. Think Carrick omission is a mistake. If Gerrard gets injured Lampard can fill in with experience - he's a good back up in that respect and an important squad member - but our shape will have to change because nobody else in midfield can distribute (if Roy is going to give Gerrard his Liverpool role). Frank can be a playmaker but it's not what he's best at.
I'm desperate for England to do well but realistically I can't see them emerging from the group.
2.55pm BST
Gutted to miss the World Cup because of my injury. I'm still a few weeks away from being fit so I understand why the gaffer has left me out
2.55pm BST
And that's that, as far as the broadcast segment of the press conference is concerned. Nothing too striking came out of that, other than the fact that John Stones will replace Phil Jones if the Manchester United man does not recover in time.
2.51pm BST
Last question: did you want Ashley Cole to go on the standby list? "I'm going to keep that conversation to myself. I don't really want to go into it. It was a private conversation. It was a difficult conversation."
2.49pm BST
Hodgson on other countries' perception of England: "I would defy anybody to give a clear and definite judgment on what 'the world' thinks of anything. It's a big place."
2.47pm BST
Hodgson asked what his players believe. "That they can have a very good tournament, win matches and go a good way in the tournament. They won't be put off in any way by any suggestions that there are countries out there that don't respect you any more. I know this group of players, what they want to do, and that they are going to try and do it.
2.42pm BST
Hodgson on Gerrard and disappointment of missing out on title: "Steven is mentally extremely strong. He loves Liverpool and he also loves England. I have no doubt he'll be as good as he ever was in this tournament." Those so inclined can add their own punchline here.
2.40pm BST
Hodgson asked what kind of car this squad is: "It's a very good question, but I don't think I'm clever enough to answer in those terms. I'll allow you to decide whether it's a sports car or a saloon. All I can say is, I'm really very happy to drive it."
2.38pm BST
Hodgson on pressure: "Whatever happens, it's up to you to be the player you are, the player you can be."
2.37pm BST
Hodgson says it wasn't an easy decision to leave out Andy Carroll. England manager was doing very well until that point.
2.36pm BST
Hodgson on Rooney: "It's not right to put the hopes of a nation like England on the shoulders of one man. The four forwards we've selected are very good. I'm hoping the onus and responsibility for scoring England's goals is shared. That might give Wayne Rooney the chance to show the other aspects of his game.
2.34pm BST
Hodgson on Carroll v Lambert: "That he played for Southampton didn't have any effect [on the decision]. It's no criticism of Andy, I didn't think there was room in the squad for both."
2.34pm BST
Hodgson on Barkley: "He's an exciting player, an exciting talent. I would hope that people are realistic in their expectations from him."
2.32pm BST
Hodgson on the difficult phonecalls: "I didn't enjoy that experience. Those conversations will remain private, but I knew it was a task that was incumbent upon me to take on."
2.30pm BST
Hodgson on prospects: "Do I believe the squad can win the World Cup? Yes of course I believe they can, otherwise what is the point. But they are empty words." Can't argue with Roy there it's an issue people pointlessly get hung up on.
"I'm sure Scolari is saying Brazil can win it. If we're going to win it, we'll have to prepare and play very well, and this talented group of players have to show their talent. Otherwise all the words in the world count for nothing. We're right to have some degree of optimism and to work on the basis there is a mood of optimism in the country. We'll feed off that, get our energy from that, and we'll make sure we do nothing to make sure we don't let our country down.
2.26pm BST
Standby players Jon Flanagan and John Stones will be joining the squad on the trip. "If by 2 June Phil Jones is not fit, John Stones will be his replacement."
2.25pm BST
Hodgson on injury worries: "We wouldn't have selected anybody in this 23 if we seriously thought we'd be on tenterhooks with regards to his fitness. The only one that seriously still poses a question is Phil Jones. Everyone tells me, and my research tells me, points to the fact that it's three-week injury."
2.23pm BST
Hodgson on youngsters: "They've played so well, been so effective, that they have imposed themselves and imposed their ability on my thinking. I'm sure in October after the last qualifiers if I had to pick the squad it would look different a lot of water has passed under the bridge since."
2.22pm BST
Hodgson on 'inexperience' in squad: "How do you get experience? You get it by getting the opportunity It's a catch 22 But the balance is good. Everyone is inexperienced until they get the chance to do the job."
2.20pm BST
Hodgson on Lampard: "You can't think about players in terms of age. You think about them in terms of position, in terms of what they can bring to the team."
2.20pm BST
Hodgson on Cole v Shaw: "I had to make a choice. I'm unbelievable impressed by the maturity and graciousness that Ashley Cole has shown."
2.18pm BST
And Roy Hodgson has emerged to justify his selection. He starts off by thanking everyone for coming. "It's a big day."
2.17pm BST
By my reckoning 10 of England's 23 have won 10 caps or fewer which could be construed as a positive or a negative, depending on your point of view.
2.11pm BST
Michael Carrick has tweeted on his disappointment at being left out:
Disappointed to be left out of the squad, World Cups are special and to miss out hurts. Want to wish the boys the very best of luck.
2.10pm BST
So, there it is. Pick the bones out of that. With Lallana, Barkley, Sterling, Shaw and Oxlade-Chamberlain in there Hodgson can hardly be accused of playing it safe, even if Lampard has edged ahead of a couple of younger options. Whether he can turn that 23 into a successful XI will, of course, be the key.
2.03pm BST
And on standby (it's as expected)
2.02pm BST
And for the tweet averse:
2.00pm BST
CONFIRMED: Roy Hodgson has unveiled his @England squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil #3Lions pic.twitter.com/eEdGnD5MBe
1.52pm BST
For those of you in a position to watch, there is a video stream of Hodgson's press conference available on YouTube here's the link and also available at the top of the page (you might need to refresh your browser). Currently it's just an empty stage and a pack of journalists discussing the standard of the buffet, but watch this space.
1.34pm BST
Roy Hodgson has entered the building. Not Guardian Towers, obviously (now that would be a curveball), but the car factory in Luton from which he will be answering questions on his 23.
From Corsa to Copacabana; Roy Hodgson arrives at a Luton car plant to announce his England WC squad pic.twitter.com/rFMlCLgRdp
1.29pm BST
The road to Manuas
This is quite a handy little guide how England's schedule shapes up between today and the tournament.
1.26pm BST
The Press Association's man on the south coast also reckons Southampton will have a trio of players in the 23:
Just had it confirmed that #SaintsFC trio Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana & Luke Shaw are all in the 23-man England squad.
1.21pm BST
I'm told by our man on the scene that Roy Hodgson is en route to the press conference at the Vauxhall factory in Luton, hopefully in the back seat of a 1985 Astra. (I'm also told that the sausage rolls aren't up to much, but that seems less relevant). Its fair to say we're fairly confident that the 23 posted earlier on will be the 23 names on Hodgson's list, but who knows, maybe there'll be a curveball.
1.02pm BST
England squad announcements weren't always like this live blogs, Twitter frenzies, press conferences at car factories at Luton. This, rather wonderfully, is how we reported the England team announcement for the 1950 tournament, the last time the World Cup was in Brazil:
12.43pm BST
An email "I think England should invest their time, energy and resources on being successful in the various youth tournaments," writes Owen London. "If we can establish ourselves in the youth arena, then that could give us the springboard."
Well, there's no doubt that plenty of time, energy and resources go into the youth sides, though whether it's enough is another matter and results haven't always been as strong as you would like (particularly given sound the Can of Worms Klaxon the Premier League's vast riches). Anyway, as I type England's Under 17 side have just beaten Turkey 4-1 in the European Championships in Malta. It pretty much guarantees them a spot in the semi-finals.
12.30pm BST
A squad has been announced! But, slightly underwhelmingly, it's the Scotland squad to face Nigeria in a friendly later this month. The Derby duo of Craig Forsyth and Chris Martin have been called up for the first time.
Scotland squad to face Nigeria: Goalkeepers Cammy Bell (Rangers); Matt Gilks (Blackpool); David Marshall (Cardiff City); Allan McGregor (Hull City). Defenders Christophe Berra (Ipswich Town); Gary Caldwell (Wigan Athletic); Craig Forsyth (Derby County); Gordon Greer (Brighton and Hove Albion); Grant Hanley (Blackburn Rovers); Alan Hutton (Aston Villa); Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic); Andrew Robertson (Dundee United); Steven Whittaker (Norwich City). Midfielders Ikechi Anya (Watford); Barry Bannan (Crystal Palace); George Boyd (Hull City); Scott Brown (Celtic); Craig Bryson (Derby County); Chris Burke (Birmingham City); Graham Dorrans (West Bromwich Albion); Darren Fletcher (Manchester United); James McArthur (Wigan Athletic); James Morrison (West Bromwich Albion). Forwards Leigh Griffiths (Celtic); Shaun Maloney (Wigan Athletic); Chris Martin (Derby County); Ross McCormack (Leeds United); Steven Naismith (Everton).
12.17pm BST
A few thoughts from below the line:
It's interesting that Hodgson is opting to name a 23 and seven standbys today rather than a provisional 30 which was what I thought he was going to do.
Had he chosen the latter option, he could have kept Cole involved and chopped him later only when Baines and Shaw have avoided injury during the training camp. Now he'll be forced to call up Gibbs or Flanagan if the other two get injured.
I would be hugely surprised if Ben Foster isn't on the plane. Surely our second best option in goal by a country mile? Also knows Foster from his time at WBA, and persuaded him out of retirement.
Despite the youthful promise that looks like being send to Brazil, you can't help feel that the defence and Roy's mindset will result in the usual World Cup misadventure.I wonder how Liverpool's emotional roller coaster will deliver the likes of Gerrard, Sterling, Sturridge et al. two weeks ago they looked like they could sweep all before them, now there's lots of staring into the mid-distance, not an ideal frame of mind to approach a tournament?
A serious question: what have Lampard, Wilshire, Jones, Smalling and Welbeck done to be in our squad? It appears likely they'll go, but Jones and Smalling have been dreadful, two of the worst centre backs in the league, and not skilled or fast enough to play fullback, Lampard is used to rest other midfielders, these days, and Welbeck is an attacking player who doesn't score goals and doesn't have enough skill or guile to be considered a creator. Oh, and Wilshire is recovering from injury and has regressed this season So why does everyone assume we'll take them and why should we? I'd love to hear a justification that goes beyond, "they're the men in possession", but they've hardly performed in stellar fashion for England, either, have they (although I know Wilshire regularly plays well)?
12.02pm BST
The standby list, part II
Our understanding is that these are the seven names on Hodgson's standby list, each of them trying to be a good person but still secretly praying to the God of Hamstring Strains and Groin Twangs for a little help:
11.57am BST
The standby list, part I
It's interesting that Hodgson has opted to name his 23-man squad with a standby list of seven, rather than name a provisional squad of 30 (as Germany did last Thursday). It makes sense, given his insistence that he will pick on form over the course of the season rather than these last few weeks, though it's presumably not an approach that many other countries will take.
11.38am BST
Hodgson, like all England managers over the past decade it feels, has had his share of criticism for sticking with members of the old guard, but whatever the 23 (with seven standbys) named today it's sure to have a completely different feel to the 2010 squad. David James, Michael Dawson, John Terry, Aaron Lennon, Peter Crouch, Joe Cole, Robert Green, Stephen Warnock, Gareth Barry, Matthew Upson, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Jamie Carragher, Jermain Defoe, Ledley King, Emile Heskey all went to South Africa. Will any other squad in Brazil have undergone such a transformation in the four years between tournaments? That's not a rhetorical question, by the way if anyone knows then feel free to post below the line.
11.20am BST
Morning all. So today's the day. Roy Hodgson has dotted the i's and crossed the t's on his final 23-man England squad for the World Cup. He's told the players. All that is left for him to do is tell the rest of us.
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