In the ninth instalment of Metro’s In The Mixer, we’re looking who will be included in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the World Cup in 2026. Sign up to receive this, plus exclusive analysis, insights and transfer talk straight to your inbox every week.
Right then – eight months, three more qualifiers, two more international breaks and a handful of friendlies to go before Thomas Tuchel leads England to the World Cup next summer.
In an ideal world England’s squad would be taking shape at this point, with a few questions remaining over the exact starting lineup to use and which third choice goalkeeper to bring.
But, as ever with England, things aren’t quite that simple.
Tuchel added a little fuel to the ‘will he leave out a big name’ fire on Wednesday night as he doubled down on wanting to prioritise the team over individual players.
Which is why this camp in particular could be crucial for a number of players who can cement their place in the World Cup squad.
So who will Tuchel include and who will he leave out? Here are our current picks for his 26-man squad.
Goalkeepers
No drama here as unless there is an injury it’s almost guaranteed that Dean Henderson, Jordan Pickford and James Trafford will be England’s three picks in goal.
Aaron Ramsdale and Nick Pope will both be waiting in the wings if needed.
On the plane: Dean Henderson, Jordan Pickford, James Trafford.
On standby: Aaron Ramsdale, Nick Pope.
Emergency option: Jack Butland.
Defenders
John Stones and Marc Guehi look like Tuchel’s first choice centre back pairing, and both with definitely make the squad.
Stones’ injury problems in recent seasons will mean Ezri Konsa should be confident of challenging the Man City star for that starting spot, but he’ll need to help Aston Villa to improve their performances before that happens.
Dan Burn’s talismanic status at Newcastle will surely continue this season and see him make the trip across the Atlantic.
Levi Colwill could be back from his cruciate ligament injury in time for the World Cup but the likes of Jarell Quansah and Harry Maguire both have the rest of the season to impress the manager and secure one of the backup spots, while Colwil’s Chelsea teammate Trevoh Chalobah has benefitted from increased playing time this season.
There’s plenty of competition in both full back positions and Tuchel has some big decisions to make.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has only made one appearance under the German – as a substitute against Andorra – and is running out of time to win back his place in the team.
His saving grace might end up being the fact that both Tino Livramento and Reece James are injury prone, with neither making this week’s squad.
Djed Spence is the only recognised right back for the games against Wales and Latvia, and his best football has tended to come on the left.
Myles Lewis-Skelly has been part of each of Tuchel’s squads, but was warned that he’ll need to play regularly for Arsenal to make the World Cup.
Manchester City defender Nico O’Reilly received his first call up this week, prompting some to ask what Tyrick Mitchell needs to do to add to his two England caps.
O’Reilly’s versatility might suit a tournament setting more than Mitchell and the likes of Lewis Hall at Newcastle.
Ben White could end up being a wildcard pick. The Arsenal right back hasn’t played for England since ruling himself out of contention before EURO 2024, but recently expressed a desire to return to international football.
On the plane: John Stones, Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, Dan Burn, Reece James, Toni Livramento, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Djed Spence.
On standby: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Lewis Hall, Jarrell Quansah, Harry Maguire.
Emergency options: Ben White, Tyrick Mitchell, Nico O’Reilly, Josh Acheampong, Trevoh Chalobah, Jarrad Branthwaite.
Would you include Trent Alexander-Arnold in your World Cup squad?
-
Yes
-
No
Midfielders
Let’s tackle the Jude Bellingham-shaped elephant in the room.
Tuchel made the decision to go with a similar squad to the one that performed so well against Serbia and without Bellingham.
The Real Madrid star has only recently come back from a shoulder injury, so it would have been easy for Tuchel to highlight that as a reason for excluding him.
But instead he spoke about creating the best team environment: ‘The only way we can make things happen at the World Cup is if we arrive with a strong team. I watched a documentary with the New England Patriots and there was a quote ‘we don’t collect the best players, we make a talented team.’
And when you consider Tuchel’s ill-considered ‘repulsive’ comments about Bellingham’s demeanour on the pitch, you do start to wonder whether he’ll get back in.
It would be a huge decision and one that would fuel plenty of headlines and column inches – but it’s still difficult to see him being left behind, at least until Tuchel announces his next squad.
On the plane: Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice, Jordan Henderson, Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton, Morgan Rogers, Eberechi Eze.
On standby: Jack Grealish, Morgan Gibbs-White, Curtis Jones, Phil Foden.
Emergency options: Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Conor Gallagher, Kobbie Mainoo.
Forwards
This feels like a pretty settled part of the squad, and it would take a real breakout season from someone to bundle their way into Tuchel’s plans.
Harry Kane will start when he’s fit with Ollie Watkins still the best backup option despite his poor start to the season. If Liam Delap’s form at Chelsea takes off when he returns from injury he could challenge the Villa man for that backup role.
Want more analysis like this?
Hi, I’m Dylan Mangan, producer of Metro’s weekly football newsletter In The Mixer.
Every week I send exclusive analysis like this directly to your inbox, focusing on the big stories in football.
In The Mixer also includes Metro’s Sports Editor James Goldman’s unique take on the week, fantasy football tips, predictions and your thoughts on the most controversial moments too.
Bukayo Saka will also start and it would make sense for Noni Madueke to reprise his covering role at Arsenal in an England shirt too, with Jarrod Bowen as an extra option at both right-wing and up front.
One of England’s main problems at EURO 2024 was a lack of width on the left. One of Anthony Gordon and Marcus Rashford will solve that.
Which, once again leaves Palmer in an interesting position. The Chelsea talisman has been in poor form for a while now and is also struggling with injury problems.
With Bellingham, Foden, Eze and Morgan Rogers all good options in behind Kane, it could be that Palmer ends up being the odd one out – as crazy as that sounds.
On the plane: Harry Kane, Ollie Watkins, Anthony Gordon, Marcus Rashford, Cole Palmer, Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke, Jarrod Bowen.
On standby: Liam Delap, Dominic Solanke.
Emergency options: Callum Hudson-Odoi, Ivan Toney,Danny Welbeck, Ethan Nwaneri.