Thomas Tuchel has announced a 26-player England squad for the 2026 World Cup in North America, and his selection contains several big calls and notable absences. Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Harry Maguire were among the eye-catching names left out. Other omissions included Morgan Gibbs-White, Adam Wharton, Lewis Hall, Luke Shaw and Jarrod Bowen.
England’s 2026 World Cup squad
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), James Trafford (Man City).
Defenders: Reece James (Chelsea), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), John Stones (Man City), Marc Guehi (Man City), Dan Burn (Newcastle), Nico O’Reilly (Man City), Djed Spence (Tottenham), Tino Livramento (Newcastle).
Midfielders: Declan Rice (Arsenal), Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Kobbie Mainoo (Man Utd), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal).
Forwards: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Ivan Toney (Al-Ahli), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle), Noni Madueke (Arsenal).
Below are 26 key questions about Tuchel’s choices, with brief answers and context.
1. Why select Ivan Toney?
Toney is a surprise given limited recent England minutes, but Tuchel has picked him for his prolific club scoring, physical presence, penalty quality and the different profile he offers alongside Harry Kane.
2. How do we judge the Saudi Pro League pickers?
The Saudi league isn’t elite, but it has attracted high-level players and offers a different season rhythm; form there still counts and players can arrive fresher than Europeans after a long campaign.
3. Has Tuchel taken a risk with his full-backs?
Yes. The full-back group has quality but injury and availability concerns. Reece James, Tino Livramento and Djed Spence have fitness question marks, which makes the right side of defence a potential vulnerability.
4. Have Harry Maguire and his family handled his omission well?
Maguire understandably feels hurt given his experience, but going public before the official announcement drew unnecessary attention and complicated the narrative around the squad reveal.
5. Can we trust Reece James’ fitness?
James remains England’s top right-back on ability when fit, but Tuchel cannot rely on him playing every match. Options like Livramento, Konsa and Spence are in place to cover rest or injury.
6. What would Gareth Southgate think?
Tuchel’s squad differs noticeably from Southgate’s Euro 2024 selection philosophy: more emphasis on certain profiles and fewer of the previously popular picks. It reflects a new manager’s priorities rather than continuity.
7. Is left-back an issue?
Nico O’Reilly’s inclusion answers many concerns. Young but trusted by Pep Guardiola at club level and a natural left-footer, he offers attacking output and defensive promise despite limited England experience.
8. Why so few Chelsea players?
Chelsea’s inconsistent season reduced the number of convincing candidates. Reece James keeps his place, but other Blues’ names were either injured, out of form or simply overtaken by others.
9. Where is Morgan Gibbs-White?
Gibbs-White has been one of the Premier League’s most in-form players, so his omission is surprising. Tuchel appears to have prioritised different midfield profiles and balance over recent individual form in this instance.
10. Is John Stones lucky to be selected?
Stones brings leadership and technical quality, but limited minutes this season raise match sharpness concerns. Tuchel clearly values his experience for tournament situations.
11. When will Arsenal players link up with the squad?
England travel early, but Arsenal’s Champions League commitments mean Tuchel will manage rest carefully for Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke so they’re available for warm-up fixtures.
12. What’s the best XI among those left out?
The best XI not selected still contains real quality and flair. It highlights the depth of English talent and the tough choices managers face when balancing form, fitness and team shape.
13. Would that excluded XI beat Tuchel’s strongest side?
Possibly in terms of creativity, but Tuchel’s group retains more proven goalscoring firepower — particularly with Harry Kane leading the line — which can be decisive in tournament football.
14. What has Trent Alexander-Arnold done wrong?
Trent’s omission is arguably the most debated. His technical range and versatility make him valuable, but Tuchel has opted for other profiles and may have concerns over fit, form or tactical balance.
15. Can Djed Spence even play?
Spence suffered a broken jaw but has trained and played with protective measures at club level. His fitness and ability to travel will depend on final medical checks, but Tuchel has included him trusting his recovery.
16. What is Jordan Henderson’s role?
Henderson provides experience, leadership and a steadying presence in the squad. Tuchel has used him consistently in the early phase of his tenure and values what he brings on and off the pitch.
17. Has Jarell Quansah been good enough in Germany?
Quansah’s profile — tall, fast, comfortable in build-up play and strong in the air — impressed Tuchel. Regular minutes in a top Bundesliga side and Champions League experience helped his case.
18. Why is Dan Burn there?
Burn offers an obvious set-piece specialist profile: aerial strength and physicality that can be decisive in both boxes during a tournament.
19. How good has Marcus Rashford been?
Rashford enjoyed a resurgence at club level this season, showing goal threat and game-changing ability. He adds a different attacking dimension and dead-ball options.
20. Why were there so many leaks?
Leaks seem to stem from widespread disappointment among players who missed out and an unusually chaotic buildup. When expectations and selections clash, friction and information escapes are more likely.
21. Why leave some technically best players behind?
Tuchel appears to have prioritized balance, tactical fit, consistency and recent form over pure flair. That explains omissions like Phil Foden and Cole Palmer, who have struggled for sustained impact or fitness.
22. How many of these players will actually play?
Tournament squads are larger than the typical number of players used: teams usually use around 18–20 players. Some squad members will be there for depth, training roles and squad harmony as much as minutes.
23. What is Jason Steele’s role?
Steele is expected to join as an extra training goalkeeper — a support role that helps prepare the keepers and contributes to the goalkeeping coaching environment.
24. Why three strikers?
Tuchel named two different-profile backups for Kane. Ollie Watkins offers runs behind and mobility; Ivan Toney brings hold-up ability and a more direct physical option. The trio gives tactical flexibility.
25. When was the last England tournament without a Liverpool player?
The last time England went to a major tournament without a Liverpool representative was 1986. This year’s selection continues a rare trend justified by available options and form across squads.
26. Is it coming home?
That is the question fans will debate until the final whistle in July. The squad gives Tuchel options and some intriguing tactical choices — but tournaments are decided on form, fitness and moments. Supporters will have their say and watch closely.
What’s next for England
England depart for the United States on Monday June 1. Warm-up fixtures: New Zealand on June 6 (21:00 UK) and Costa Rica on June 10 (21:00 UK). England’s Group L matches are: vs Croatia (June 17, Dallas), vs Ghana (June 23, Boston) and vs Panama (June 27, New York/New Jersey). Tournament key dates run from the group stage starting June 11 through the final on July 19.
Tuchel’s squad is a clear statement of intent and preference: a mixture of experience, distinct player profiles and some bold calls. Whether the choices pay off will be settled on the pitch in June and July.