Tuchel draws the line — England's World Cup 2026 squad named

Thomas Tuchel has confirmed his 26-man England 🇬🇧 squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026, and true to his word, he has not shied away from the tough calls.

Goalkeepers:

Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, James Trafford

Defenders:

Reece James, Tino Livramento, Nico O'Reilly, Djed Spence, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, John Stones, Jarell Quansah, Dan Burn

Midfielders:

Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Jordan Henderson, Kobbie Mainoo, Jude Bellingham, Morgan Rogers, Eberechi Eze

Forwards:

Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Gordon, Ivan Toney, Harry Kane, Ollie Watkins

The big omissions

The names left out will dominate the conversation. Cole Palmer and Phil Foden — two of the most technically gifted players in the Premier League — have both been dropped after underwhelming club seasons. Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has not featured for England since last summer, was a more expected casualty. Harry Maguire was perhaps the most vocal about his exclusion, taking to social media to say he was "shocked and gutted" after Tuchel personally called players on Thursday and Friday to deliver the news.

"I love the tough decisions," Tuchel said — and he meant it.

Group stage. Croatia 🇭🇷. Game one. Tuchel's selections will be put to the test immediately — and standing in their way is a side built around the ageless Luka Modrić, who has a habit of making England's big nights very uncomfortable.

The surprise calls

The most eyebrow-raising inclusion is Ivan Toney. The Al Ahli striker has played just seven minutes under Tuchel, yet his goalscoring form in Saudi Arabia has been enough to earn him a place alongside captain Harry Kane and Ollie Watkins, who himself returns to the fold after being left out earlier this year before going on to score 10 goals for Aston Villa. Jordan Henderson, at 35, also makes the cut as a senior midfield option.

The group stage

England have been drawn into Group L alongside Croatia, Ghana and Panama — a favourable draw on paper that gives Tuchel's side every chance of progressing comfortably into the knockout rounds.

With Bellingham pulling the strings, Kane leading the line and Rice anchoring the midfield, the spine of the team is clear. Whether the bold selection calls pay off is another matter — but Tuchel has set his stall out early.