England’s World Cup squad for the summer has been finalized by manager Thomas Tuchel, with Ivan Toney, John Stones, and Jordan Henderson included in the 26-man roster. Notable omissions from the lineup are Trent Alexander-Arnold, Phil Foden, and Cole Palmer.
Harry Maguire, another high-profile absence, expressed his disappointment on social media before the announcement. Additionally, Luke Shaw, Adam Wharton, and Morgan Gibbs-White were not selected, making Tuchel’s first tournament squad selection particularly striking.
Strikers Ollie Watkins and Toney have been recalled to join captain Harry Kane, mirroring the trio that represented England during Euro 2024. Watkins, who was previously sidelined, has scored ten goals for Aston Villa since his return. Toney has garnered attention for his impressive performance in the Saudi Pro League, even though he featured for just seven minutes under Tuchel.
Jed Spence, Noni Madueke, and Eberechi Eze are also set to participate, but the discussion largely centers on the players left out of the squad, following various leaks leading up to Friday’s announcement.
Maguire took to social media to voice his shock and disappointment over his exclusion from the World Cup squad, which Tuchel communicated to the players earlier in the week. While Foden and Palmer are among the highest-profile absentees, both have experienced lackluster club performances with Manchester City and Chelsea, respectively, and face formidable competition for their positions.
Notably absent from the squad is Real Madrid right-back Alexander-Arnold, who has not received a cap since last summer, despite some fans calling for his inclusion. Tino Livramento, who was recently sidelined by a thigh injury, made the cut, along with Koby Mainu, who joins Henderson and others as a central midfield option. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton was overlooked for selection.
In the upcoming World Cup, England will compete in Group L, facing Croatia, Ghana, and Panama across venues in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Reflecting on his squad choices, England manager Thomas Tuchel commented on the myriad difficult decisions made during the selection process. “I’ve had a lot of phone calls over the past three days,” he stated. “I feel relieved and excited, ready to go. Once the decision is made, the clarity sets in, and I can’t wait to get on the plane.”
Tuchel emphasized the importance of trust in his selections: “Who do we really rely on? Who has delivered for us? Especially since September, who has created the culture and set the standards? There’s a leadership group we depend on, as I believe it’s essential to have that connection.”
England’s 2026 World Cup Squad
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, James Trafford
Defenders: Reece James, Ezri Konsa, Jarrell Quansah, John Stones, Mark Guehi, Dan Byrne, Nico O’Reilly, Jed Spence, Tino Livramento
Midfielders: Declan Rice, Elliott Anderson, Koby Mainu, Jordan Henderson, Morgan Rogers, Jude Bellingham, Eberechi Eze
Forwards: Harry Kane, Ivan Toney, Ollie Watkins, Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Gordon, Noni Madueke
Information from PA was used in this report.
