Thomas Tuchel has confirmed his 26-man England squad for the World Cup, and some fans are far from pleased. The German manager announced his selections on Friday morning, revealing several surprising choices that have sparked widespread debate among supporters. While some decisions have been praised, others have left fans scratching their heads.
Mirror Football has examined the most controversial inclusions and exclusions from Tuchel's squad. Here are five key talking points:
Dan Burn over Harry Maguire
Manchester United defender Harry Maguire was one of the first to confirm his omission from the squad on Thursday. His exclusion is arguably the most shocking, given his outstanding renaissance at Old Trafford under Michael Carrick, which earned him a new contract. Maguire returned to the England fold earlier this year, but Tuchel quickly made it clear he was low in the pecking order. The 33-year-old has been dropped in favour of Newcastle's Dan Burn. Both players bring similar attributes in stature and physicality, but Maguire's experience—66 caps and plenty of tournament know-how—should have secured his place. His leadership and voice would have been a valuable asset, making his absence controversial.
Djed Spence over Trent Alexander-Arnold
Some argue that former Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold has never fully impressed on the international stage, and to an extent, that is true. However, he remains the most creative right-back in world football, far surpassing Spurs' Djed Spence in attacking output. Spence is a solid defender but has endured a less-than-inspiring season in North London, and an injury picked up in the club's penultimate game could limit his involvement at the World Cup. Alexander-Arnold, despite similar fitness concerns, is a better player overall and would have been a useful addition to the squad.
Jordan Henderson over Adam Wharton or Morgan Gibbs-White
Another former Liverpool star, Jordan Henderson, has secured his spot in the squad, largely due to his experience—a valuable asset given Maguire's absence. However, there are more effective midfielders left at home who would have been better picks. Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton fills a similar role but with youth on his side, and his potential has attracted big-money transfer rumours. If Tuchel wanted more goal threat, Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White was an obvious choice. His form has been instrumental in dragging Forest to safety, and that momentum could have been priceless in a high-pressure tournament. Both Gibbs-White and Wharton are young enough to know they will get another chance, but that opportunity should have come this summer.
Noni Madueke over Jarrod Bowen or Harvey Barnes
Yes, Noni Madueke is a Premier League champion, and he could arrive in the USA with an eye-catching double under his arm. However, he has scored just two Premier League goals this season, with his last league goal coming in February. Is that the form of a player who is the best the country has to offer? Not really. Madueke is talented, but he should not have been included ahead of Jarrod Bowen, who boasts 21 goal involvements for a side on the verge of relegation. Similarly, Newcastle winger Harvey Barnes has 16 goals this season and is more than capable of making an impact off the bench.
Ivan Toney over Cole Palmer
This is arguably the most debatable decision. Ivan Toney certainly knows where the goal is—his 72 strikes over the past two seasons prove that. However, all those goals have come in the Saudi Pro League, where he has been since leaving Brentford in 2024. As a potential third-choice striker behind Harry Kane and Ollie Watkins, it might have been more productive to include a player who could have a greater impact, such as Cole Palmer. Despite a difficult season with Chelsea, Palmer has still scored ten goals and can create something out of nothing—exactly what England might need in a tight tournament. Toney relies on the team's creativity to be at its best, which has not always been consistent.
