England manager Thomas Tuchel has today announced a 24-man squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches, set for early September. The Three Lions will take on Andorra at Villa Park on 6 September before travelling to Belgrade to face Serbia on 9 September.
Notable absentees in the squad include Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jack Grealish, Kyle Walker, Ivan Toney, Phil Foden, Curtis Jones, and Conor Gallagher. Alexander-Arnold’s omission stands out in particular: despite his creative qualities, Tuchel has reiterated concerns over his defensive discipline—a warning he issued earlier this year. The omission signals Tuchel’s firm stance that defensive reliability remains a non-negotiable prerequisite for national team selection.
On the return front, Marcus Rashford, currently on loan at Barcelona, has earned a recall after overcoming injury setbacks. John Stones and Adam Wharton also rejoin the squad, reinforcing both experience and emerging talent in Tuchel’s plans.
The manager has also handed senior debuts to two exciting young prospects: Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson and Tottenham’s Djed Spence. Anderson, a standout performer for the England Under-21 side that clinched the UEFA U21 European Championship, has earned his first senior call-up, while Spence’s inclusion reflects his impressive form in the early Premier League campaign.
Tuchel’s squad blends seasoned veterans with emerging talent across all positions. The full roster is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson, Jordan Pickford, James Trafford.
Defenders: Dan Burn, Marc Guehi, Reece James, Ezri Konsa, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Tino Livramento, Djed Spence, John Stones.
Midfielders: Elliot Anderson, Morgan Gibbs-White, Jordan Henderson, Declan Rice, Morgan Rogers, Adam Wharton.
Forwards: Jarrod Bowen, Eberechi Eze, Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane, Noni Madueke, Marcus Rashford, Ollie Watkins.
Tuchel called the camp a critical period for squad cohesion and momentum following a shaky end to the June international window, notably marred by a 3-1 friendly defeat to Senegal that prompted boos from the fans. The upcoming qualifiers represent a vital reset, with limited time remaining before a packed autumn campaign ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Looking back, Tuchel’s path to this decision reflects a deliberate recalibration. Since taking charge of the national team in early 2025, the German tactician has travelled across the country to scout players firsthand and maintained a selection policy rooted in both reliability and potential. His first senior squad in March hinted at this approach — integrating fresh blood like Dan Burn and laying the groundwork for a systematic rebuild.
In embracing the challenge ahead, Tuchel said, “The competition is on.” He emphasized that every spot is earned, and the upcoming fixtures will be decisive in shaping England’s World Cup trajectory.
Tuchel’s tenure as England manager began in early 2025 under an 18-month contract, with built-in incentives tied to World Cup performance. From the outset, he has sought to imprint his philosophy—characterized by tactical flexibility and rigorous standards for defensive accountability.
But his project faced a rocky start. After sparking optimism with back-to-back wins in March, England stumbled in a friendly in June, culminating in the defeat to Senegal—a match that exposed depth vulnerabilities and raised concerns about squad unity.