Washington:
Fox News announced the line-up on Tuesday for the first US presidential debate of the 2016 Republican primary cycle, with the governor of the state hosting the event narrowly snatching the final spot.
The broadcaster, which airs the debate live on Thursday evening, said 10 candidates will take the stage at a Cleveland, Ohio arena, led by billionaire real-estate tycoon Donald Trump, who currently tops the Republican field.
The candidates on stage will be -- in order of their rank in the national polling average as determined by Fox -- Trump, former Florida governor Jeb Bush, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, US Senators Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio and Rand Paul, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, and Ohio Governor John Kasich.
With 17 major Republicans in the race for their party's nomination, seven candidates will be on an undercard forum that airs four hours before the main debate, which kicks off at 9:00 pm (0100 GMT Friday).
Those who missed the main debate cut are former Texas governor Rick Perry, former senator Rick Santorum, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, former Hewlett-Packard boss Carly Fiorina, Senator Lindsey Graham, New York ex-governor George Pataki and former Virginia governor Jim Gilmore.
Fox compiled its average from national polls conducted by five organizations: Bloomberg, CBS, Fox, Monmouth University and Quinnipiac University.
Perry put on a brave face after narrowly missing out, saying on Twitter he looked forward to joining the earlier 5:00 pm debate "for what will be a serious exchange of ideas & positive solutions to get America back on track."
The brash and combative Trump has taken a commanding lead in polls and will be front and center on Thursday night at.
He and others will have a prime opportunity to lay out specifics of their economic and foreign policy platforms.
And with political experts noting the importance of making a good first impression in the opening debate, candidates will be weighing just how much to go on attack mode against one another.
Former secretary of state Hillary Clinton leads four other Democrats in their nomination race.
No dates have been decided for their debut debate, which is expected to occur later in the year.