Thomas Tuchel has confirmed that Alex Scott, Josh King, Rio Ngumoha, and Ethan Nwaneri will join up with the England squad for two warm-up friendlies ahead of the World Cup. A fifth player, yet to be named, will also be included. Tuchel has named his 26-man squad for the tournament in North America, but not all of those selected will be able to integrate immediately as they conclude their club seasons.
Delayed Arrivals for Key Players
Arsenal’s quartet – Eberechi Eze, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, and Noni Madueke – will be involved in the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain on 30 May and will have a delayed arrival into camp. Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson is set to feature in the Conference League decider on 27 May. To ensure he has a full squad to pick from and manage the minutes of key players, Tuchel has moved to bring four youngsters and one experienced professional into his squad to build out numbers for training and the friendlies.
Young Talents Called Up
Ethan Nwaneri, 19, has been drafted in after spending the second half of the season on loan at Ligue 1 Marseille. Bournemouth’s Alex Scott has enjoyed an excellent season and was included in the 55-man longlist for England’s World Cup selection. Fulham midfielder Josh King and Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha have also shown signs of real promise in the Premier League. A statement on England’s official X account said: “Ethan Nwaneri will join our Three Lions preparation camp in Florida ahead of the FIFA World Cup.” The teenager made 12 senior appearances for the Gunners this season before heading for France, where he made a further 10, six of them from the bench.
Training Goalkeeper Included
Additionally, Tuchel confirmed that Brighton’s Jason Steele will be with the squad as a training goalkeeper, having operated in a similar role previously. “We will take some young players out who will train with us and keep the squad at the size we need so we have all the possibilities for the two friendly matches to take care about the minutes and load of the players,” Tuchel explained. “Alex Scott is confirmed, Rio Ngumoha is confirmed, and Josh King, and there will be one more player which we cannot name because it has not been confirmed yet. I am happy that these guys are with us, especially Alex who was on the list of 55 and had a disappointing phone call as well that he didn’t make the first cut. But the reaction of him was outstanding, the commitment and wish to be in pre-camp and be a step closer to the team – it was not even a question for him. It showed me his character and his spirit and I am delighted he is with us because it was a close call. He gets a chance to take a step closer and get a cap.”
Preparation Schedule
England will travel to Florida to prepare for the tournament, with friendlies scheduled against New Zealand on 6 June in Tampa and Costa Rica on 10 June in Orlando. The England squad, minus those players involved in European finals, is due to meet up in Palm Beach on June 1. Tuchel’s men will then move to their tournament base in Kansas City on June 13. England open their Group L campaign against Croatia in Dallas on June 17 and will then face Ghana in Boston six days later before their final group clash with Panama in New Jersey on June 27.
