England fans think they've spotted awkward reason Luke Littler was included in the Euros squad announcement video after Gareth Southgate named his 26 chosen players

England fans believe they have spotted the awkward reason why Luke Littler was included in the Euros squad announcement video. 

Gareth Southgate has named his 26 chosen players after axing seven players from his provisional squad, including Tottenham's James Maddison. 

Maddison was widely viewed as one of the players at risk of missing out following a largely disappointing second half of the season before learning that he would in-fact be missing out.

The official England account took to social media to post a squad announcement video featuring fans, broadcasters and even some sports stars. 

And one of those was darts sensation Littler, who was seen throwing a dart before swiping the England badge on his shirt. 

The 17-year-old's cameo in the video has raised eyebrows and observant Three Lions fans believe he was included due to his affiliation with Maddison. 

One said: 'That Luke Littler part was supposed to be for Maddison, lol. Southgate sees the light in Mainoo.'

Another wrote: 'They really put Luke Littler in the video only to cut Maddison out'.

'I mean I know it’s because Luke Littler is massive at the moment and a United fan but having a darts thing in here when you’ve ditched Maddison', a third England fan posted. 

A fourth said: 'Based on this video, looks like Mainoo instead Maddison was a late call'. 

Maddison is known for his darts-throwing celebration and even invited Luke Littler as a special guest to Tottenham's match against Bournemouth last year.  

The 27-year-old left the Three Lions training camp after finding out his omission before taking to social media to relay his thoughts - where he suggested he was surprised to be axed.

In a post on X, Maddison wrote: 'Devastated doesn’t quite cut it. Trained well and worked hard all week but if I’m honest with myself, my form for Spurs when coming back from injury in the second half of the season probably wasn’t at the levels I had set which gave Gareth a decision to make. 

'I still thought there would be a space for me in a 26 man squad as I feel I bring something different & had been a mainstay in this whole qualifying campaign for Euro 2024 in Germany but the manager has made the decision and I have to respect that. 

'I’ll be back, I have no doubt. Wishing the boys all the luck in the world out in Germany, unbelievable group and lads that I literally call some of my best friends. I genuinely hope football comes home'.