ZURICH: Honduras have become the first of World Cup finalists to name their 23-man squad for Brazil.

Coach Luis Fernando Suarez has included six British-based players in his list for next month’s tournament in Brazil: Hull defender Maynor Figueroa, Stoke midfielder Wilson Palacios, Wigan duo Roger Espinoza and Juan Carlos Garcia, plus Celtic defender Emilio Izaguirre and Rangers midfielder Arnold Peralta.

Suarez said: “I ask the ones who have not been called up to understand. A lot of players were part of this process, but only 23 can be called. I cannot keep everybody satisfied.”

Twenty-year-old Luis Lopez has edged out a number of prospective rivals to earn one of the three goalkeeping berths in the squad after fine form for Real Espana.

Suarez, at a press conference in Tegucigalpa, said: “This (domestic) league has had good keepers such as Yul Arzu, John Bodden, Jose Mendoza … Luis has enormous potential and soon will replace Noel Valladares.”

Honduras travel to the United States next Monday to play three warm-up friendlies ahead of the World Cup.

The will face Turkey in Washington on May 29 before meeting Israel in Houston on June 1. Six days later they face England in Miami before heading to Brazil, where they will meet France, Ecuador and Switzerland in Group E.

Squad lists become official once they have been confirmed and published by FIFA on May 16.

Honduras squad

Goalkeepers: Noel Valladares, Donis Escober (both Olimpia), Luis Lopez (Real Espana)

Defenders: Brayan Beckeles (Olimpia), Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic/Scotland), Juan Carlos Garcia (Wigan/England), Maynor Figueroa (Hull City/England), Victor Bernardez (San Jose Earthquakes/USA), Osman Chavez (Qingdao Janoon/China PR), Juan Pablo Montes (Motagua)

Midfielders: Arnold Peralta (Rangers/Scotland), Luis Garrido (Olimpia), Roger Espinoza (Wigan/England), Jorge Claros (Motagua), Wilson Palacios (Stoke/England), Oscar Garcia (Houston Dynamo/USA), Andy Najar (Anderlecht/Belgium), Mario Martinez (Real Espana), Marvin Chavez (Colorado Rapids/USA)

Forwards: Jerry Bengtson (New England Revolution/USA), Jerry Palacios (Alajuelense/Costa Rica), Carlo Costly (Real Espana), Rony Martinez (Real Sociedad/Spain).

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