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England boss names largest squad ahead of World Cup friendlies
Thomas Tuchel has called up 35 players for England's final pre-World Cup camp, describing it as the "last opportunity" for players to secure their place in the summer squad. The expanded roster includes two uncapped players and several long-absent faces, while notable omissions raise questions about selection strategy.
Key inclusions and returns
Everton midfielder James Garner and Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele earn their first senior call-ups. Garner, who has started every Premier League game for Everton this season, called the selection a "dream come true" in a video posted on the club's X account. Steele, who has not played a single Premier League minute for Brighton this season, is included as a potential training goalkeeper for the World Cup.
Several players return after lengthy absences. Leeds striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, last called up over five years ago, and AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomori, absent since October 2023, are back in the fold. Manchester United duo Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo also earn recalls, while Tottenham striker Dominic Solanke makes his first appearance since October 2024.
Notable absences and tough decisions
Real Madrid right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold is left out, a decision Tuchel described as "tough." The England manager cited the need to evaluate players with "a slightly different profile," such as Tino Livramento, Djed Spence, and Jarell Quansah, as a factor in the omission. Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins is also excluded, with Tuchel opting to assess Calvert-Lewin and Solanke instead.
Injuries rule out Chelsea pair Reece James and Trevoh Chalobah, who were part of the last squad. Meanwhile, Jude Bellingham remains in the squad despite not playing for Real Madrid since early February due to a hamstring injury, and Manchester City defender John Stones, who has made just two appearances since December, is also included.
Camp structure and player rotation
Tuchel revealed the camp will be split into two phases, with 11 players joining the squad after the first friendly against Uruguay on 27 March. The group includes key figures like Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, and Declan Rice, who have accumulated between 3,500 and 4,000 minutes of play this season-more than their entire 2023-24 campaigns.
"More important than the pure number of minutes is that some of these guys have played more minutes than the whole of last season. To give them a break mentally and physically, we will benefit from it."
Thomas Tuchel
The 11 players joining later are: Dean Henderson, Dan Burn, Marc Guéhi, Ezri Konsa, Nico O'Reilly, Elliot Anderson, Declan Rice, Morgan Rogers, Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane, and Bukayo Saka.
World Cup deadline looms
Teams must submit their final 23-man World Cup squads by 30 May, leaving players with just two friendlies-against Uruguay and Japan at Wembley-to impress Tuchel. The England boss emphasized the importance of the camp, stating it is the "last opportunity to compete for their ticket."
Young talent and future prospects
When asked about Arsenal's 16-year-old sensation Max Dowman, who recently became the youngest scorer in Premier League history, Tuchel praised his "outstanding talent" but ruled out a call-up, saying there was "no need to increase the pressure" on the teenager.
Full squad list
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), James Trafford (Manchester City), Aaron Ramsdale (Newcastle United), Jason Steele (Brighton & Hove Albion).
Defenders: Dan Burn (Newcastle United), Marc Guéhi (Crystal Palace), Lewis Hall (Newcastle United), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Tino Livramento (Newcastle United), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Nico O'Reilly (Manchester City), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Djed Spence (Tottenham Hotspur), John Stones (Manchester City), Fikayo Tomori (AC Milan).
Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), James Garner (Everton), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace).
Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds United), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Noni Madueke (Arsenal), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona, loan from Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Dominic Solanke (Tottenham Hotspur).
