England squad announcement LIVE: Shock recall for Jordan Henderson as Thomas Tuchel names first group
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.
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).
Analysis: Tuchel opts for experience over youth
And there are five players in their 30s: Jordan Pickford (31), Dan Burn (32), Kyle Walker (34), Jordan Henderson (34) and Harry Kane (31).
Analysis: Tuchel opts for experience over youth
There are places for James Trafford (22), Tino Livramento (22), Levi Colwill (22), Jarell Quansah (22), Morgan Rogers (22) and Cole Palmer (22), but everyone else in the squad is at least 24.
Analysis: Tuchel opts for experience over youth
England fans hoping Thomas Tuchel would inject some youthful energy into his England squad might be disappointed this morning, as the German coach opted for experience over promise.
There are some young talents in the squad, with Arsenal teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly the most obvious new recruit, but he and Jude Bellingham are the only players aged 21 or younger.
Tuchel names first England squad – summary
New boss Thomas Tuchel has named uncapped defenders Myles Lewis-Skelly and Dan Burn in his first England squad and handed recalls to Marcus Rashford and Jordan Henderson.
Gareth Southgate’s permanent successor has selected 26 players for this month’s World Cup qualifiers at Wembley against Albania and Latvia.
Tuchel has been using a 55-man long list and the England boss has rewarded Arsenal left-back Lewis-Skelly, 18, for his impressive performances since making his senior bow in September.
Towering Newcastle defender Burn is the most surprising name in Tuchel’s squad having received his first call-up at the age of 32.
Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah and Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford are the other uncapped players involved, but have previously been selected by the senior team.
Rashford returns to the international set-up having made a promising start to life on loan at Aston Villa after being sidelined at Manchester United.
The 27-year-old was omitted from Southgate’s Euros squad last summer and the Nations League campaign overseen by interim boss Lee Carsley, as was veteran Ajax midfielder Henderson who also returns to the fold.
Four uncapped players called up
Tuchel has selected four uncapped players, with two at left-back: Newcastle’s Dan Burn and Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly.
The others are Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah and Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford, though both have been called up to senior squads before.
Marcus Rashford returns to England fold
Marcus Rashford is another who has been called back into the fold, while Kyle Walker is also in the squad.
It is an experienced group, which perhaps reflects Tuchel’s situation: a short-term contract focused entirely on winning World Cup 2026. There is not a lot of space for youngsters.
Thomas Tuchel’s 26-man squad
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson, Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale, James Trafford.
Defenders: Dan Burn, Levi Colwill, Marc Guehi, Reece James, Ezri Konsa, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Tino Livramento, Jarell Quansah, Kyle Walker.
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Eberechi Eze, Jordan Henderson, Curtis Jones, Cole Palmer, Declan Rice, Morgan Rogers.
Forwards: Jarrod Bowen, Phil Foden, Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Dominic Solanke.
