Predicting England’s 2026 World Cup squad: Who will Thomas Tuchel take, who’s on the fringes?
The auditions are over. England‘s males’s staff have performed their last matches earlier than Thomas Tuchel names his 26-player squad for the 2026 World Cup. The 1-1 draw with Uruguay and the 1-0 defeat to Japan have been the ultimate alternatives hopefuls had of impressing Tuchel. Briefly, England fell flat.
It was like X-Issue’s Bootcamp throughout each matches — every participant within the bloated 35-strong squad was successfully advised they have been taking part in for his or her place on the airplane and wanted to impress the boss. Tuchel break up the camp, resting 11 gamers forward of the primary match with Uruguay: Dean Henderson, Nico O’Reilly, Dan Burn, Marc Guéhi, Ezri Konsa, Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Morgan Rogers, Bukayo Saka, Anthony Gordon and Harry Kane. You may nearly stamp their passport for the summer time. However there have been 15 different locations to play for.
Tuchel fielded a new-look aspect for the match with Uruguay. It was a colorless affair, ending 1-1. Debutant James Garner impressed, as did Harry Maguire, whereas Ben White made fairly the influence: Booed by England supporters, scoring their opener after which giving freely a doubtful penalty for Uruguay’s equaliser.
Tuchel afterwards stated Maguire was a fifth-choice centre-back, and likewise questioned Phil Foden‘s lack of influence. One factor is definite: there’s little room for ambiguity round Tuchel, and gamers know the place they stand. After that match, England launched injured Saka, Rice, John Stones, Adam Wharton and Noni Madueke. Tuchel additionally despatched Aaron Ramsdale, Fikayo Tomori and Dominic Calvert-Lewin again to their golf equipment. Their possibilities of making the squad look distant.
England headed into the Japan sport trying to carry out in entrance of a sold-out Wembley. Kane was a late withdrawal, so England went with Foden within the false 9 spot. However with out Kane, they have been toothless in assault, and Japan went away with a 1-0 victory.
“Within the absence of Harry Kane, we do not have the identical menace. Bayern Munich, within the absence of Harry Kane, doesn’t have the identical menace; no staff on the planet has the identical menace. It is simply regular,” Tuchel stated.
At full-time, boos rang out at Wembley. It was hardly the farewell they hoped for.
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“I hate dropping like nobody else, and it’ll take some time to digest,” Tuchel added. “But it surely is not going to have an effect on us massively now, for after we arrive within the US. However this camp is not going to outline us, and we’ve got two months to digest it, to take the learnings, to appoint our spots, to get gamers again wholesome.”
In order that’s it — the alternatives to impress Tuchel first-hand are over. Whereas some gamers have already got sufficient credit score within the financial institution to ebook a seat on the airplane, others have to impress of their remaining Premier League and Champions League matches. However as issues stand, within the instant aftermath of the Uruguay draw and Japan defeat, that is the place we really feel the gamers stand in relation to the squad, who’s on the periphery and people whose chances are high even slimmer.
Goalkeepers (3)
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Jordan Pickford | 32 years outdated | Everton
England‘s undisputed No.1, as has been the case for the final 4 main tournaments. He is been in spectacular kind for Everton this season — together with this save off Sandro Tonali — and can convey loads of expertise between the sticks.
Dean Henderson | 29 years outdated | Crystal Palace
This is among the few areas the place the pecking order is effectively established. Henderson will head to the World Cup as England’s second-choice choice, having obtained the odd begin when Pickford’s been rested. He is been one of many few secure components of a turbulent season at Palace.
James Trafford | 23 years outdated | Manchester Metropolis
That is going to be a tough choose for Tuchel. Aaron Ramsdale has usurped fellow challenger Nick Pope for the Newcastle No.1 spot, however he is often turned to Trafford as third-choice. Trafford signed for Metropolis forward of this season, hoping to be their new first-choice keeper, however then alongside got here Gianluigi Donnarumma. So Trafford’s gametime has largely come within the FA Cup and League Cup. It wasn’t what he deliberate, however every time he is performed, he is executed effectively.
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Jason Steele | 35 years outdated | Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton veteran Steele is anticipated to go within the Tom Heaton position — the fourth goalkeeper, sitting outdoors of the 26-man squad and there to assist with coaching. He’s Brighton’s No. 2 and has solely performed 35 Premier League video games since becoming a member of the membership in 2018.
Aaron Ramsdale | 27 years outdated | Newcastle United
Ramsdale is vying for the Newcastle No. 1 spot after a troublesome few years, so competitors for locations isn’t any stranger to him. Ramsdale was dropped from the squad after Uruguay with out taking part in a second, so total, Trafford is forward of him.
Nick Pope | 33 years outdated | Newcastle United
Pope can be within the combine for the third-choice keeper spot, however hasn’t performed for Newcastle for the reason that finish of February.
Centre-backs (5)
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Marc Guéhi | 25 years outdated | Manchester Metropolis
Guéhi made the step up from Palace to Metropolis in January and has slotted into Pep Guardiola’s aspect with ease. Earlier than that, he had to deal with his projected transfer to Liverpool breaking down in the summertime switch window, however Tuchel was impressed with how he dealt with it. He hasn’t been an ever-present underneath Tuchel, however he might be a starter come the summer time. He captained the staff towards Japan.
John Stones | 31 years outdated | Manchester Metropolis
Stones’ season has been disrupted via damage, a difficult thigh downside limiting his current involvement within the FA Cup. He has featured in 5 main tournaments for England and can convey useful expertise if he proves his health. Damage scuppered his possibilities of that includes for England of their newest matches, so he must discover a run of video games for Metropolis earlier than the top of the season. But when he does that, he is nonetheless a key determine within the nationwide squad and may journey this summer time.
Ezri Konsa | 28 years outdated | Aston Villa
He is established himself as considered one of Tuchel’s favourites, having featured prominently all through the World Cup qualification marketing campaign. He was a part of the group that reached the Euro 2024 last, and has impressed for Villa this time period. He additionally brings versatility, as he can cowl each right-back and centre-back.
Dan Burn | 33 years outdated | Newcastle United
Burn had a wierd begin to life underneath Tuchel. The supervisor FaceTimed him at 10 p.m., telling him he’d made the squad again in March 2025, after which reprimanded him for nonetheless being awake. Since then, Tuchel has turned to him as a part of the rotation in defence, and Burn must be on the airplane this summer time. He brings an aerial presence, but in addition calmness on the again, and might cowl left-back too. He was included among the many 11 gamers who have been rested for the Uruguay sport.
Harry Maguire | 33 years outdated | Manchester United
Maguire’s two-year spell within the worldwide wilderness ended when Tuchel known as him into the most recent squad. At that time, his final England minutes had come underneath Carsley, and within the intervening interval, he’d barely heard from Tuchel. However then got here a WhatsApp message as he ready to journey to Bournemouth with United, and his wait was over. It was a deserved recall for Maguire, who’s impressed this season and has been a uncommon constant performer amid the rollercoaster trip that’s United. He did effectively towards Uruguay, however Tuchel later stated he was the fifth-choice centre-back behind Guehi, Stones, Konsa and Chalobah. He was used as a late influence sub towards Japan and made an instantaneous influence. He featured for England in each the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, and at Euro 2020, however missed out on Euro 2024.
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Fikayo Tomori | 28 years outdated | AC Milan
The AC Milan defender hasn’t featured for England in three years, however labored his manner again into the squad for the final two matches. He began towards Uruguay however was one of many gamers who left forward of Japan. On the periphery, as issues stand.
Jarell Quansah | 23 years outdated | Bayer Leverkusen
He was initially picked on this squad, however was dominated out via damage, harming his possibilities of making the ultimate minimize. He is executed effectively for Bayer Leverkusen this season and made his England debut towards Albania of their final World Cup qualifier.
Trevoh Chalobah | 26 years outdated | Chelsea
He gained his sole England cap underneath Tuchel final 12 months in that defeat to Senegal, however hasn’t performed a minute since. He was a part of the squad on the finish of 2025, however an ankle damage scuppered any likelihood of him making this newest camp. Tuchel name-checked him as being forward of Maguire within the pecking order, so he nonetheless has an opportunity of going to the World Cup, however he must impress earlier than the season’s finish.
Full-backs (4)
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Nico O’Reilly | 20 years outdated | Manchester Metropolis
This has been O’Reilly’s breakthrough season at Metropolis, and his versatility might be a welcome addition to Tuchel’s squad, on condition that he can cowl left-back and midfield. His excellent efficiency within the Carabao Cup last has solely added to his declare for a spot within the squad. He obtained his first call-up in October to the squad and has since gained three caps, together with a begin towards Japan.
Reece James | 26 years outdated | Chelsea
James has had an injury-disrupted couple of seasons, however seemed to be stepping into an exquisite rhythm for Chelsea this time period, together with signing a brand new long-term deal, till his newest hamstring damage stopped him in his tracks in mid-March. There is a large asterisk right here, but when he is match, count on him to begin at right-back for Tuchel. This could be his second main event for England, having missed the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024 via damage.
Tino Livramento | 23 years outdated | Newcastle United
He can play either side of defence and has been linked with a big-money summer time transfer, with a number of groups reportedly eager on his providers after a massively spectacular marketing campaign in each the Champions League and Premier League for Newcastle. He made his England debut underneath Carsley and has added to that tally underneath Tuchel. He’d have gained extra had it not been for a knee damage, which curtailed the top of 2025 for him.
Lewis Corridor | 21 years outdated | Newcastle United
Corridor’s inventory rose after his efficiency towards Barcelona‘s Lamine Yamal within the first leg of their Champions League spherical of 16 match. His Newcastle teammate Kieran Trippier says he is among the finest left-backs on the planet, and this might be his breakthrough worldwide event if he will get the nod. His two caps got here underneath Lee Carsley, with Tuchel but to provide him a shot, and if he’s to characteristic within the World Cup, he’ll need to get forward of his Newcastle teammate Livramento for the left-back spot.
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Trent Alexander-Arnold | 27 years outdated | Actual Madrid
It hasn’t been essentially the most easy debut season for Alexander-Arnold in La Liga, with a hamstring damage and muscle tear in his left leg interrupting his progress at Actual Madrid. However he seems to have gained the right-back spot in the intervening time. With England, he is barely featured underneath Tuchel, however his versatility will assist, alongside his large event pedigree, having performed in two Euros and two World Cups for his nation. Nevertheless, after being neglected of the current squad, his possibilities of making the minimize look restricted.
Myles Lewis-Skelly | 19 years outdated | Arsenal
A 12 months in the past, you’d have thought he’d have been nailed on for a World Cup spot. However after his breakout 2024-25 marketing campaign, he is discovered his game-time restricted at Arsenal this season and has been omitted from Tuchel’s final two squads.
Djed Spence | 25 years outdated | Tottenham Hotspur
If James is injured, then Spence is subsequent cab off the rank. Spence can play on either side of defence, and made his England debut again in September. He final featured in October, however Tuchel is a fan of versatility, and Spence also can cowl midfield. Predominantly, he’ll be difficult Livramento, O’Reilly and Corridor for the beginning left-back spot. In Spurs’ tough season, Spence’s kind has been a uncommon shiny level.
Luke Shaw | 30 years outdated | Manchester United
He is had his most constant season for United for some time, and his tally of simply 34 caps in 12 years tells the story of his unlucky luck with accidents. He hasn’t featured but underneath Tuchel.
Ben White | 28 years outdated | Arsenal
He left the England squad halfway via the 2022 World Cup amid speak of a fallout with the teaching employees and hadn’t been seen since earlier than he was known as as much as the most recent squad after Quansah withdrew. He made the headlines towards Uruguay after he was booed as he entered the sphere, scored the equaliser after which gave away a contentious penalty late on. He then began towards Japan, however each contact was booed by some corners of England followers. You’re feeling his chances are high considerably tied to James’ health. He is nonetheless an outdoor shot to make the squad, however has put himself within the image.
Centre midfielders (4)
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Declan Rice | 27 years outdated | Arsenal
He is arguably the participant of the season within the Premier League, so Rice is on the airplane and beginning for England this summer time. He can play as a six or an eight (and at centre-back if wants be) and has featured for his nation within the final three main tournaments. Did not characteristic towards both Uruguay or Japan, however his place on the airplane is safe.
Elliot Anderson | 23 years outdated | Nottingham Forest
Anderson has emerged as England’s first-choice choice within the No. 6 position and is the favorite to associate Rice within the coronary heart of the midfield this summer time. He is on seven caps and was one of many 11 gamers who Tuchel rested forward of Uruguay, earlier than taking part in the total 90 minutes towards Japan. Since he made his debut underneath Tuchel in September, he stored his place for the rest of the 12 months. “Anderson is a key participant for us in the meanwhile,” Tuchel stated in November. “He is among the finest midfielders within the Premier League — that is why he’s with us and beginning for us. He deserves it as a result of he has been nothing however spectacular.”
Jordan Henderson | 35 years outdated | Brentford
Henderson was within the worldwide wilderness within the latter days of Southgate’s reign and was neglected of the Euro 24 squad. It adopted a season the place he’d minimize quick his Al-Ettifaq keep and joined Ajax, the place he performed for 18 months. It was in the direction of the top of that spell within the Eredivisie that Tuchel recalled him, and since his transfer again to the Premier League and Brentford, he is featured extra for England, largely from the bench. He is vying with Wharton and Anderson for the beginning No.6 spot, however he has performed in six main tournaments relationship again to Euro 2012 and brings a wealth of expertise.
Kobbie Mainoo | 20 years outdated | Manchester United
He was within the wilderness for each membership and nation at the beginning of the season, however Michael Carrick’s appointment at United has given him a brand new lease of life. He began the Euro 2024 last for England, and after his newest call-up, he might but gatecrash the squad. He got here off the bench towards Uruguay and began in midfield within the Japan match. He is an unbelievable expertise and simply wants the suitable coach to assist nurture him.
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Adam Wharton | 22 years outdated | Crystal Palace
The central midfielder has 4 caps to his identify and is but to carry down a first-team spot underneath Tuchel. He featured of their final two World Cup qualifiers, however Anderson is forward of him within the pecking order at No.6. However he stays among the finest passers of the ball within the Premier League and is on the radar of a number of main golf equipment. He was a part of Southgate’s 26-man squad for the Euros in 2024, however did not play. He got here on at half-time towards Uruguay and was launched again to his membership afterwards after struggling a knock.
Conor Gallagher | 26 years outdated | Tottenham Hotspur
He moved again to the Premier League in January from Atlético Madrid, solely to enter the maelstrom at Tottenham. He performed for Tuchel within the defeat to Senegal and hasn’t featured since.
James Garner | 25 years outdated | Everton
Garner’s first call-up to the most recent squad was simply reward for constantly spectacular kind for Everton. “I advised myself at the beginning of the season that this season needs to be the season that I can present everybody what I can do, and I feel to this point I’ve executed,” Garner stated. He made his debut towards Uruguay and was one of many few constructive factors to come back out of the sport. He then featured once more towards Japan, and also you would not be stunned to see his identify within the squad this summer time.
Alex Scott | 22 years outdated | Bournemouth
He was known as as much as the England squad for the November qualifiers by Tuchel, however was neglected of the most recent one. He is been spectacular for Bournemouth all season.
Attacking midfielders (3)
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Jude Bellingham | 22 years outdated | Actual Madrid
Bellingham did not characteristic in both of their current matches, with Tuchel managing his return to health fastidiously after a hamstring damage. Bellingham hasn’t had essentially the most easy time underneath Tuchel, with the pinnacle coach beforehand saying his mom discovered a few of Bellingham’s on-field behaviour “repulsive”. Tuchel subsequently apologised. Bellingham was omitted from the squad final October, however is now again central in Tuchel’s plans. Tuchel sees him as a No.10, and he’s a world-class participant who featured prominently for England within the final two main tournaments.
Morgan Rogers | 23 years outdated | Aston Villa
Carsley handed Rogers his England debut again in Nov. 2024 and progressed to being a part of Tuchel’s first-choice XI within the latter phases of the World Cup qualification marketing campaign. For a lot of the season, he is been excellent with Aston Villa, with a mixed objectives and assists tally of 13 so far and was within the golden 11 rested by Tuchel for Uruguay. He can play anyplace alongside the ahead line however seems prone to be competing primarily for a spot within the No.10 position.
Cole Palmer | 23 years outdated | Chelsea
It hasn’t been an easy season for Palmer. He is had this troublesome groin damage, and Chelsea have had a bonkers marketing campaign the place they’ve flitted between the sensible and the absurd. Palmer has proven glimpses of his boundless means, however hasn’t hit the identical numbers because the 2023-24 and 2024-25 campaigns. Although at his finest, he is among the finest gamers on the planet and somebody who can flip the steadiness of the match straight away. His sub look towards Uruguay and begin versus Japan have been his first minutes underneath Tuchel this season. He’s a uncommon expertise, and he must be on the airplane.
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Eberechi Eze | 27 years outdated | Arsenal
Eze was named in Tuchel’s newest England squad, however was pressured to withdraw with a calf damage. That was suffered in Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen, the place Eze scored an exquisite aim. He is been in nice kind for Arsenal this season, the place he is prospered after his summer time transfer from Crystal Palace, however this calf damage has come at a foul time, simply as he was exhibiting indicators of kicking on, a setback leaving him out for between 4 to 6 weeks.
Morgan Gibbs-White | 26 years outdated | Nottingham Forest
In what has been a turbulent season for Nottingham Forest, Gibbs-White has managed to place in constantly spectacular performances. He can rely himself unlucky if he misses out on the World Cup squad. Underneath a special supervisor, he’d be a shoo-in, however Tuchel simply prefers different gamers in that No.10 slot.
Phil Foden | 25 years outdated | Manchester Metropolis
Foden’s kind has fluctuated this season, however, like Rogers, his versatility works in his favour. He hasn’t featured an enormous quantity underneath Tuchel, with damage working towards him, whereas he was omitted alongside Bellingham for the October camp final 12 months. He featured off the bench of their last two World Cup qualifiers of 2025 and began towards Uruguay and within the false 9 spot for Japan. That is going to be a troublesome place for Tuchel to select, and seeing Foden as somebody who can play as a No.9 helps his trigger, however in the meanwhile, his place is in jeopardy. He did not make an influence towards Uruguay and was pressured off within the 57th minute after a nasty problem from Ronald Araujo. Towards Japan, he struggled to get into the sport in an unfamiliar place.
Wingers (5)
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Bukayo Saka | 24 years outdated | Arsenal
Saka has a brand new four-year contract behind him and is indispensable for each Arsenal and England. His kind has fluctuated this season, however Tuchel has at all times turned to him when out there. He is one of many key leaders within the squad — alongside Kane, Stones, Pickford and Rice — and Tuchel is incessantly pushing Saka to attain extra for membership and nation. Again in October, he was knowledgeable of Saka’s tally of 13 England objectives (now 14 after his aim towards Serbia), and Tuchel stated: “It is not sufficient. He must carry on going. I believed it was 30 at the very least! After which I’d have stated ‘effectively it is not sufficient’ as a result of I am by no means, by no means happy.” He missed out on the final two matches, however he is a assured starter.
Marcus Rashford | 28 years outdated | Barcelona (on mortgage from Manchester United)
He is featured prominently for Barcelona this 12 months, on his mortgage deal from Manchester United, and is firmly within the combine for the World Cup. He featured in Tuchel’s final six matches earlier than this double-header and was largely used off the bench. It hasn’t been a straightforward couple of years for Rashford, who spent the second half of final season on mortgage at Villa, however he is discovered some rhythm in La Liga. He missed out on Euro 2024 so might be determined to characteristic this time round.
Anthony Gordon | 25 years outdated | Newcastle United
It is arguably Gordon’s most interesting season so far, as he is impressed on each the home and European stage for Newcastle (together with that four-goal haul towards Qarabağ). He can play on either side of assault, and his significance to England was underlined, given he was one of many 11 gamers who Tuchel rested for Uruguay. He performed towards Japan however didn’t ignite England’s assault.
Jarrod Bowen | 29 years outdated | West Ham
In what has been a tough season for relegation-battling West Ham, Bowen’s kind has been integral to them conserving in contact with survival. His versatility helps his England possibilities, and Tuchel has used him as considered one of his influence substitutions off the bench. His return of eight objectives and 6 assists for the Hammers within the league this season is exceptional, given they have been within the relegation spots for a lot of this marketing campaign.
Noni Madueke | 24 years outdated | Arsenal
He is performed a key position in Arsenal’s season so far, largely off the bench, and might play off each flanks and thru the center. He made his debut underneath Carsley and has remained firmly in Tuchel’s plans as he began each of their World Cup qualifiers final September, however he missed out on the squad on the finish of final 12 months because of a knee damage. There’s a component of unknown about the place he matches into Tuchel’s plans, however his kind and flexibility might see him prosper at simply the suitable time. He began towards Uruguay however was one of many eight launched earlier than Japan because of damage.
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Harvey Barnes | 28 years outdated | Newcastle United
The spectacular Newcastle winger has been getting overtures from Scotland, eager to incorporate him within the combine for the World Cup. However when Eze withdrew from the most recent England squad, they turned to Barnes. He made his England debut off the bench towards Uruguay.
Max Dowman | 16 years outdated | Arsenal
He is an unbelievable expertise and is definite to win a bunch of England caps. However each Arsenal and England are eager to handle his minutes fastidiously, and it is a marketing campaign too quickly for him.
Strikers (2)
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Harry Kane | 32 years outdated | Bayern Munich
He is loved yet one more exceptional season at Bayern Munich, reaffirming his standing for the hundredth time as one of many best strikers England has ever produced. He’ll lead England this summer time, heading into the World Cup because the nation’s highest goalscorer in main tournaments. Since he captained England to the Euro 2024 last, he is loved two trophy-laden seasons within the Bundesliga. Again in September, he scored his a centesimal Bayern aim, reaching that milestone faster than every other participant within the high 5 leagues. If ever you want additional affirmation of his significance to England, then take a look at how they failed to seek out any innovative towards Japan in his absence.
Ollie Watkins | 30 years outdated | Aston Villa
Watkins’ World Cup prospects regarded safe for as long as a mainstay in Tuchel’s squad, till the most recent camp. He was one of many high-profile names omitted from the final two matches, with Solanke and Calvert-Lewin most popular. Tuchel says he already is aware of what Watkins can do and desires to have a look at different choices. But it surely was hardly a ringing endorsement. Watkins responded by scoring a aim for Villa within the subsequent match, and you would argue the possibilities of him making the squad have really improved as his rivals didn’t take their possibilities within the final two matches.
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Dominic Calvert-Lewin | 29 years outdated | Leeds United
He was recalled to the England squad forward of those two friendlies and was successfully advised that it was a shootout between him, Solanke and the absent Watkins for the back-up striker spot to Kane. Earlier than his call-up to this camp, Calvert-Lewin final performed for England within the delayed Euro 2020, however has performed effectively for Leeds this season, scoring 10 objectives within the high flight. However towards Uruguay, he had one clear-cut likelihood and didn’t take it. He was then dropped for the Japan sport.
Dominic Solanke | 28 years outdated | Tottenham Hotspur
Solanke is in an identical boat to Calvert-Lewin. His season solely actually started in January as he fought again from an ankle damage, and he has since scored three Premier League objectives for Spurs. Earlier than beginning towards Uruguay and coming off the bench towards Japan, his final England involvement was underneath Lee Carsley in late 2024. He is calm in entrance of aim and might present a focus for assault.
Ivan Toney | 30 years outdated | Al-Ahli
Toney featured in Tuchel’s staff for the Senegal match, however has been on the outskirts since. He is been in nice kind within the Saudi Professional League however stays on the skin of the England squad.
The anticipated 2026 England World Cup squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Pickford, Henderson, Trafford
Defenders: James, Livramento, Stones, Guehi, Konsa, Burn, O’Reilly, Maguire, Corridor
Midfielders: Rice, Bellingham, Mainoo, Henderson, Anderson, Rogers, Palmer
Forwards: Kane, Saka, Gordon, Madueke, Rashford, Bowen, Watkins
Further reporting from ESPN’s James Olley.
