Within the next few hours, every one of the 55 players named in Thomas Tuchel's provisional England World Cup squad will be glued to their phones. Before manager Tuchel makes his final 26-man selection public on Friday, each player will have received a call confirming their fate — a place on the plane to the United States, Canada, and Mexico, or a summer at home.

BBC pundits Micah Richards, Joe Hart, Theo Walcott, and Stephen Warnock have shared the stories of those pivotal calls ahead of major tournaments — the elation, the devastation, and everything in between. And Martin Keown recalls the aftermath of arguably the most notorious England squad omission ever.

Micah Richards — 'I just wanted to cry'

Two days after Manchester City's famous title triumph in May 2012 — sealed by Sergio Agüero's stoppage-time winner — right-back Micah Richards was expecting yet more cause for celebration when Roy Hodgson named his squad for the European Championship.

Richards had recently returned to the England fold under caretaker manager Stuart Pearce, starting against the Netherlands in February, and with rival Kyle Walker ruled out injured, he felt his place was assured.