The chosen and the forgotten: Tuchel finalises his 26-strong England World Cup squad

Thomas Tuchel has a way to go to emulate his Brazil counterpart, Carlo Ancelotti, in terms of sheer spectacle when it comes to the announcement of a World Cup squad. Ancelotti took centre stage at the elegant Museum of Tomorrow in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday to reveal his 26 players, going name by name, the large audience of celebrities and influencers erupting when he eventually confirmed that Neymar was in.

There will nevertheless be a sense of razzmatazz on Friday morning when Tuchel confirms his England squad for the tournament in the US, Canada and Mexico. It is a seismic day in the football cycle, one that does not need additional trimmings. But it will get them anyway, with the Football Association going digital-first in an effort to harness the excitement and zap it straight to supporters’ devices.

The governing body will stream a live show from Wembley on its recently launched England app, which begins at 9.45am BST. It will feature appearances from the former England internationals, Theo Walcott and Daniel Sturridge, along with those all-important names, the ones that will carry the nation’s dream. Tuchel will drop in for an interview before he conducts his other media activities.

Yet it is doubtful there will be many surprises. Tuchel has made his phone calls, both joyful and difficult. And from the moment that Harry Maguire, who got one of the latter, went public at around 5pm on Thursday to say how “shocked and gutted” he was to have been excluded, the picture started to clear, the pieces falling into place. Tuchel’s selection is set to be defined by consistency, as much as anything else – the expected wildcard inclusion of Ivan Toney notwithstanding. He believes he has the right blend for the mission to put a second star on the shirt.

Goalkeepers

This was the simple bit. Jordan Pickford is the undisputed No 1, Dean Henderson and James Trafford the likely back-ups. Aaron Ramsdale and Nick Pope have been on the outside looking in. Tuchel has had an idea to use Jason Steele as a non-playing training goalkeeper.

Defenders

Maguire did OK when Tuchel called him up for the March friendlies. The Manchester United player started against Uruguay and was a threat on set pieces as a late substitute against Japan. It was his first involvement with the England setup since September 2024. But Tuchel’s comments after the Uruguay game were an indication of the direction of travel; how he saw the central defensive hierarchy.

He made the point that Maguire had been what he expected. “I haven’t changed my mind,” Tuchel said. “But I see other players I like to start for us, other players ahead with a different profile.” He name-checked Ezri Konsa, Marc Guéhi, John Stones and Trevoh Chalobah. He might have mentioned Dan Burn, who was a part of the group brought in only for the Japan game and, as such, extremely likely to be on the plane to the tournament. Jarell Quansah was also in his thinking.

The worry for Tuchel has to be the fitness of two of his preferred back four. Stones is currently injury-free but he has made just four appearances for Manchester City since the start of December. Match sharpness could be an issue. How much of a packed World Cup schedule will he be able to manage? England hope to play eight games in 33 days. The same question applies to the right-back, Reece James. He only returned for Chelsea from his latest hamstring injury and a near-two-month absence on the Saturday before last and, after playing almost all of the FA Cup final this past Saturday, he was left out of the game against Tottenham on Tuesday. Another Chelsea defender, Levi Colwill, returned at the start of May from a season-wrecking anterior cruciate ligament rupture and he has impressed. It is feasible that Tuchel considered him a risk too far.

That is not the case with the right-back, Tino Livramento, who is ready to prove his fitness after a month out with a thigh problem. It is possible Ben White might have gone as Tuchel is a big fan. But the Arsenal right-back is definitely out with an injury. Tuchel knows that Konsa and Quansah can cover at right-back. Djed Spence has started two Premier League games in two months for Spurs while at the last count, Trent Alexander-Arnold was seventh in Tuchel’s right-back pecking order.

Luke Shaw was an interesting part of the conversation at left-back, given the season he has had for United, starting every league match for them and playing well. But his last appearance for England was in the Euro 2024 final. Tuchel has been swayed by youth in the position, sold on Nico O’Reilly while Myles Lewis-Skelly advanced a late claim with a return to form at Arsenal. Lewis Hall has been on the fringes.

Midfielders

Start with Declan Rice and move on from there. Elliot Anderson has become a mainstay since his debut in September and is set to partner Rice in central midfield. Jordan Henderson will not be a starter but his experience counts for a lot and his leadership will be valuable when it comes to maintaining harmony with the camp.

Tuchel, keen to leave no stone unturned in his quest for the perfect mix, is aware of the issues caused by Gareth Southgate dropping a host of senior players at Euro 2024.

Yet there is room for youth in the middle. Kobbie Mainoo, rejuvenated since the departure of Ruben Amorim in January, has caught the eye since returning to United’s starting XI and was a key player for England at the last Euros. The 21-year-old is still not the finished article and has defensive weaknesses to iron out of his game but his ability on the ball makes him a compelling option. Adam Wharton, with his line-breaking passing, has not quite convinced Tuchel in the same way. Bournemouth’s Alex Scott will also have to wait for future opportunities, although James Garner could sneak in because of his versatility.

Forwards

Much of the focus has centred around how many No 10s Tuchel intends to take. Five? Maybe just four? In the end, the answer is expected to be three, Jude Bellingham, Eberechi Eze and Morgan Rogers doing enough to earn their spots. Cole Palmer and Phil Foden, however, are discovering that there is a price to pay for underwhelming club seasons. Brilliant on their day, they have not done it for England for a while and perhaps one benefit to having only three creators competing for one spot is that it brings a certain clarity to selection.

That means disappointment for Morgan Gibbs-White, who finished the season strongly for Nottingham Forest. Tuchel has been ruthless. With Bukayo Saka first choice and Noni Madueke poised to edge out Jarrod Bowen on the right, and Marcus Rashford and Anthony Gordon leading the way on the left, the squad has a streamlined feel. Cutting the No 10 options down leaves Tuchel space to select two strikers to provide cover for Harry Kane.

There was a time when the German toyed with picking Kane as the only No 9. Not now, though. Ollie Watkins has been pushing since his omission from the March squad. And there always was likely to be at least one major surprise from Tuchel. A recall for Ivan Toney was not on the cards. The Al-Ahli striker went to the last Euros but has played two minutes for Tuchel. What gives? Perhaps part of the plan is to create competition between Kane’s understudies. Toney also takes a mean penalty. Danny Welbeck, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Dominic Solanke will nonetheless feel unlucky to be overlooked.