Tuchel’s World Cup Gauntlet: Who Survives the 35?

Today, England’s manager, Thomas Tuchel, chose to maintain ample flexibility by picking an expanded 35-player lineup for the imminent non-competitive fixtures versus Japan and Uruguay.

The selections included Manchester United’s pair, Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire, alongside the return of players such as Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Dominic Solanke, Lewis Hall, and Tino Livramento. James Garner from Everton received his inaugural call-up, while Brighton’s custodian, Jason Steele, was designated to serve as a training associate for the World Cup.

Real Madrid’s defender, Trent Alexander-Arnold, was notably absent from the roster, implying his World Cup aspirations are now probably dashed. This unfortunate fate also applies to Luke Shaw and Danny Welbeck.

Discussing his choice to select a more expansive roster for this training assembly, Tuchel stated: “We opted to essentially split it into two distinct groups. This allows us to introduce athletes we haven’t closely observed or who haven’t had significant game time, thereby broadening our perspective and intensifying the competition for places on the flight to the US.

“Subsequently, starting Friday and Saturday, a contingent of players – approximately 10 or 11 individuals who were rested beforehand – will integrate into the assembly. We will then proceed into the match against Japan with this fresh, blended group of athletes.”

England Manager Tuchel At Last Considers United Players

Mainoo and Maguire’s selection marks the inaugural occasion Manchester United players have been chosen since Tuchel commenced his tenure last January.

Under Michael Carrick, both individuals have contributed significantly to United’s revival. Mainoo, for instance, only began a league match this season after Carrick assumed leadership from Ruben Amorim, yet he has since delivered a succession of impressive displays alongside Casemiro.

Maguire, too, has been an integral part of Carrick’s team, seemingly having recovered his prime form following an extended period plagued by injuries and inconsistent displays. His most recent of 64 international appearances for the Three Lions was earned more than a year ago, under interim manager Lee Carsley.

Newcastle’s Lewis Hall Also Featured

Newcastle’s defender, Lewis Hall, was also named in the roster, possessing a strong prospect of cementing the challenging left-back position.

Hall has emerged as a standout performer for Newcastle since his recovery from injury. He notably distinguished himself by largely containing Lamine Yamal across two Champions League fixtures versus Barcelona, prior to the Magpies’ second-half capitulation at Camp Nou.

This marks Tuchel’s ultimate roster announcement before he must finalize his definitive contingent for this summer’s World Cup, hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Preceding the main competition, England will engage in two further exhibition matches in June: facing New Zealand and Costa Rica in Florida.

Complete England Roster

Custodians: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), James Trafford (Manchester City), Aaron Ramsdale (Newcastle United), Jason Steele (Brighton & Hove Albion)

Rearguards: Dan Burn (Newcastle United), Marc Guéhi (Manchester City), 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)

Central Players: 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)

Attackers: 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)

How to View England’s World Cup Matches

ITV will broadcast England’s opening fixture against Croatia, as well as their third game versus Panama. Their second match, against Ghana, will be aired by BBC Sport.

The BBC is set to transmit England’s prospective Round of 32, Round of 16, and semi-final encounters. Should they reach the quarter-finals, ITV would cover it, with both broadcasters sharing the transmission of the ultimate final.

June 17: England versus Croatia (21:00, ITV)

June 23: England versus Ghana (21:00, BBC)

June 27: England versus Panama (22:00, ITV)

Accessing the World Cup in the UK: Television, Digital Stream

Supporters are able to access the live coverage using the BBC Sport and ITV online platforms, along with the BBC iPlayer and ITVX applications. These are compatible with a broad spectrum of devices, facilitating mobile consumption.

What are the Dates for the 2026 World Cup?

The championship is scheduled to take place between June 11 and July 19, 2026.

Which Nations Have Secured Entry to the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

The most current compilation of nations that have secured their places can be consulted on FIFA’s official website.

2026 World Cup Divisions

Division A

• Mexico
• South Africa
• South Korea
• Qualifier: Denmark/Czechia/Republic of Ireland/North Macedonia

Division B

• Canada
• Qualifier: Italy/Wales/Bosnia-Herzegovina/Northern Ireland
• Qatar
• Switzerland

Division C

• Brazil
• Morocco
• Haiti
• Scotland

Division D

• USA
• Paraguay
• Australia
• Qualifier: Turkey/Romania/Slovakia/Kosovo

Division E

• Germany
• Curacao
• Ivory Coast
• Ecuador

Division F

• Netherlands
• Japan
• Qualifier: Ukraine/Sweden/Poland/Albania
• Tunisia

Division G

• Belgium
• Egypt
• Iran
• New Zealand

Division H

• Spain
• Cape Verde
• Saudi Arabia
• Uruguay

Division I

• France
• Senegal
• Qualifier: Iraq/Bolivia/Suriname
• Norway

Division J

• Argentina
• Algeria
• Austria
• Jordan

Division K

• Portugal
• Qualifier: DR Congo/Jamaica/New Caledonia
• Uzbekistan
• Colombia

Division L

• England
• Croatia
• Ghana
• Panama

When is the World Cup’s Inaugural Match?

The inaugural fixture will showcase Mexico versus South Africa on June 11 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

Canada is set to participate in its first encounter the following day in Toronto, while the United States will also play its initial match on June 12, facing Paraguay in Los Angeles.

When Are the Qualification Rounds Scheduled?

Six berths for the World Cup remain undetermined; four UEFA teams and two others from the five remaining confederations are poised to secure their spots in the finals.

The UEFA qualification matches and the Inter-confederation fixtures will commence with semi-final ties on March 26. Subsequently, the qualification finals will take place on March 31, at which point the full roster of participants will be finalized.