England manager Thomas Tuchel addressed the media on Friday, 22 May 2026, to officially unveil his 26-man squad for the upcoming World Cup. The press conference, held at Wembley Stadium, followed the announcement that several high-profile players had been left out of the final selection.
Key Omissions and Reactions
Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, and Harry Maguire had already confirmed they would not be part of the squad. Maguire expressed his disappointment, stating he was "shocked and gutted" by the decision. Their absence marks a significant shift in England's defensive and midfield options.
Qualifying Campaign
England secured their place in the World Cup by dominating Group K in the qualifiers, winning all eight matches without conceding a single goal. This flawless defensive record set high expectations for the tournament.
Full Squad Announcement
The squad heading to the United States, Canada, and Mexico in June includes:
- Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), James Trafford (Manchester City)
- Defenders: Reece James (Chelsea), Tino Livramento (Newcastle), Marc Guehi (Manchester City), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), John Stones (Manchester City), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Nico O'Reilly (Manchester City), Dan Burn (Newcastle), Djed Spence (Tottenham Hotspur)
- Midfielders: Declan Rice (Arsenal), Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal)
- Forwards: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Ivan Toney (Al-Ahli), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Noni Madueke (Arsenal), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona, on loan from Manchester United), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle)
Notable inclusions are young talents like James Trafford and Nico O'Reilly, while experienced players such as Jordan Henderson and Marcus Rashford bring depth. The squad blends youth and experience, aiming to build on England's recent tournament performances.
