Thomas Tuchel announced his first England squad this morning after officially becoming manager of the Three Lions in January.
England’s new era begins next week with a Wembley double-header of World Cup qualifiers, as Albania and Latvia visit in the space of four days. Tuchel has been charged by the FA with delivering England men’s first major trophy since 1966, after signing an 18-month contract which ends after the 2026 World Cup in USA, Canada and Mexico.
And as he looks to get up and running, he has handed midfielder Jordan Henderson a surprise recall while also including the uncapped pair of Dan Burn and teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly in defence, and Marcus Rashford among the forward options – amid the latter’s improved form since leaving Manchester United.
Tuchel had been in contact with a large pool of players over recent weeks and compiled a 55-man shortlist before naming his squad. Arsenal teenager Ethan Nwaneri was thought to be in contention alongside clubmate Lewis-Skelly, as were Nottingham Forest pair Morgan Gibbs-White and Callum Hudson-Odoi, but none of those three were named.
Follow live updates from England’s squad announcement and Tuchel’s press conference below.
A fresh start for Ben White and England? Seemingly not…
When Gareth Southgate left his role as England coach, a big question around future squads involved Ben White.
The Arsenal defender made himself unavailable for selection under Southgate, and some fans have wondered whether Tuchel would make a point of trying to get White back in the fold.
As of right now, though, White’s England absence goes on.
Should Wharton or Gallagher have been picked over Henderson?
As mentioned below, some feel Adam Wharton would have been a better, fresher choice than Jordan Henderson in midfield, while Conor Gallagher might also feel unlucky not to have got a look in – especially after his goal against Real Madrid in the Champions League this week.
That’s not to say one goal alone should have made the difference, but it was a timely strike from Gallagher in more ways than one, despite Atletico’s eventual, dramatic exit on penalties.
Is Morgan Gibbs-White the biggest exclusion from this squad?
It’s safe to say there’s been a bit of backlash to Tuchel’s choices in his first England squad…
Morgan Gibbs-White is seen as perhaps the most surprising exclusion, but Adam Wharton’s name keeps popping up on social media, too.
Alexander-Arnold facing long spell out of action
One player who missed out on the squad is the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The Liverpool defender is facing an extended spell on the sidelines with an ankle injury but head coach Arne Slot insists he will be back before the end of the season.
The 26-year-old was injured in the second half of the Champions League exit to Paris St Germain on Tuesday and his absence leaves Slot without a recognised right-back for Sunday’s Carabao Cup final as Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez are still recovering from injuries.
“Trent is not available. He will not be there at the final,” said Slot. “But he is still to be assessed for how long it will take but we do expect him back before the end of the season.”
Reece James, Kyle Walker and Tino Livramento are the options at right-back in Tuchel’s current squad.
Story: Henderson given shock recall as Tuchel names first England squad
Jordan Henderson has been given a shock recall to the England squad as new boss Thomas Tuchel brings the veteran midfielder back into the international picture.
Full story:
Tuchel to give press conference
Thomas Tuchel will face the media at 11am GMT, so we will hear much more about his choices and why he has opted to recall Henderson and Rashford.
Premier League’s 2024/25 stars miss out
Tuchel had been in contact with a large pool of players over recent weeks and compiled a 55-man shortlist before naming his squad. Arsenal teenager Ethan Nwaneri was thought to be in contention, as were Nottingham Forest pair Morgan Gibbs-White and Callum Hudson-Odoi, but none of those three were named.
Gibbs-White perhaps the biggest surprise of that group, but Curtis Jones, Eberechi Eze and Morgan Rogers have been picked ahead of him.
Who went to Euro 2024?
Fourteen of the 26 players in Tuchel’s squad were at Euro 2024.
Pickford, Ramsdale, D Henderson; Walker, Guehi, Konsa; Rice, Bellingham, Foden, Palmer; Kane, Bowen, Gordon, Eze.
All got gametime at the Euros except for the back-up goalkeepers Ramsdale and Henderson.
Thomas Tuchel’s 26-man squad
A full run down of Tuchel’s first England squad:
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Southampton), James Trafford (Burnley).
Defenders: Dan Burn (Newcastle), Levi Colwill (Chelsea), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Reece James (Chelsea), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal), Tino Livramento (Newcastle), Jarell Quansah (Liverpool), Kyle Walker (AC Milan).
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Curtis Jones (Liverpool), Jordan Henderson (Ajax), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Declan Rice (Arsenal).
Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Marcus Rashford (Aston Villa), Dominic Solanke (Tottenham).