Our writers have selected the 26-man squad for England who will face Uruguay and Japan in the final international games of the 2025/26 season before this summer’s World Cup.
Manager Thomas Tuchel announced the team name on Friday (Image: Getty Images)
Manager Thomas Tuchel is set to announce the next England squad on Friday, and our writers consider which stars will be on the shortlist. Germany is expected to select 26 players for friendlies against Uruguay and Japan.
The two games will be Tuchel’s last chance to look at his squad before submitting his 26-man World Cup squad by the May 30 deadline. The Three Lions will be without injured Reece James, while Jude Bellingham has only returned to light training after seven weeks out.
The biggest selection dilemma facing the England manager is who will play second fiddle to Harry Kane. Ollie Watkin, who has been in poor form, has been the go-to player until now, but Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Danny Welbeck are knocking on the door.
Mirror Football writers have selected 26 players, with only 13 players in each team: Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, Mark Guehi, Nico O’Reilly, Declan Rice, Elliott Anderson, Adam Wharton, Cole Palmer, Morgan Rodgers, Bukayo Saka, Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford and Eberechi Eze. Are all other locations recruiting?
Get Retro England Shirts From £3.19
£49.99
From £3.19
Sports Direct |Top Cashback
Get the deal here
England fans can save over £15 off already reduced-price retro shirts by shopping through TopCashback. By creating a free account, new members can earn a £15 sign-up bonus and cashback on Sports Direct orders.
Dan Burnham
Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, Aaron Ramsdale
Defenders: Mark Gehi, Harry Maguire, Ezri Konsa, Dan Byrne, Lewis Hall, Nico O’Reilly, Tino Libramento, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Luke Shaw
Midfielders: Declan Rice, Elliott Anderson, Koby Mainu, Adam Wharton, Morgan Rogers.
Forwards: Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, Jarrod Bowen, Anthony Gordon, Eberechi Eze, Cole Palmer, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Noni Madueke.
It’s time to end the Jordan Henderson experiment and pass the baton to a bright new generation of English midfielders. Ollie Watkins looks completely lacking in confidence, but Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s form for the club should be rewarded. Aaron Ramsdale is better than James Trafford because he actually plays football. The team has enough depth in each position to allow manager Thomas Tuchel to assess who to start and prepare for injuries should they occur between now and the end of the season.
Jordan Henderson remains a controversial call-up (Image: Getty Images)
kieran king
Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, James Trafford
Defenders: John Stones, Mark Guehi, Ezri Konsa, Dan Byrne, Harry Maguire, Lewis Hall, Tino Libramento, Nico O’Reilly.
Midfielders: Declan Rice, Koby Mainu, Elliott Anderson, Adam Wharton, Morgan Rogers, Keenan Dewsbury-Hall.
Forwards: Harry Kane, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer, Marcus Rashford, Harvey Barnes, Anthony Gordon, Ebelesi Eze, Noni Madueke
Here are the 26 players I would choose for Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad. Starting with the notable absences, it would leave out Jude Bellingham, who has just returned from a hamstring injury, and give Keenan Dewsbury-Hall, who has been outstanding for Everton this season, a chance to stake his claim. I would give Coby Mainu, Harvey Barnes and Dominic Calvert-Lewin a surprise recall to see if they can earn a second-half place in the team in the absence of Phil Foden, Jarrod Bowen and Jordan Henderson. Personally, I would not choose Trent Alexander-Arnold despite Reece James being out injured. He had a disappointing first season at Real Madrid.
patrick austin hardy
Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, Nick Pope
Defenders: Mark Gehi, Ezri Konsa, Harry Maguire, Dan Byrne, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Tino Libramento, Lewis Hall, Nico O’Reilly.
Midfielders: Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton, Koby Mainu, Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Cole Palmer.
Forwards: Morgan Rodgers, Marcus Rashford, Eberechi Eze, Harry Kane, Olly Watkins, Bukayo Saka, Jarrod Bowen, Noni Maduke.
Manager Thomas Tuchel needs to fill his squad with match-winners and game-changers. Cole Palmer, Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Trent Alexander-Arnold may have had their seasons derailed by poor form or injury, but they are all capable of delivering on the biggest stage.
Tuchel’s starting XI may not include any of the players mentioned above, but as Saka, Bellingham and Palmer proved at the Euros, they can all change the game at will. The most important thing is balance, but the scorching difference between America, Mexico and Canada may be individual qualities.
Phil Foden is eyeing a return to the England squad (Image: (Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images))
harry brent
Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, Aaron Ramsdale
Defenders: Mark Gehi, Ezri Konsa, Harry Maguire, Jarel Quansah, Tino Libramento, Lewis Hall, Nico O’Reilly, Trent Alexander-Arnold
Midfielders: Declan Rice, Elliott Anderson, Morgan Gibbs-White, Adam Wharton, Koby Mainu.
Forwards: Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Gordon, Eberechi Eze, Jarrod Bowen, Cole Palmer, Ollie Watkins, Morgan Rodgers
I intentionally left out experienced names like Jordan Henderson and John Stones. We know what they offer, so this is an opportunity to assess depth. At full-back, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Tino Libramento will compete for the second spot on the right side in a shootout behind Reece James, who is sidelined through injury. On the left: Lewis Hall vs. Nico O’Reilly.
In midfield, Koby Mainu, Adam Wharton and Morgan Gibbs-White are effectively competing for the two reserves behind Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson. Further down the line, Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rodgers are in contention for an under-performing number 10 squad, but perhaps one should be left at home this summer.
Up front, Ollie Watkins earned his place with his heroics at Euro 2024. Meanwhile, Jarrod Bowen pips Noni Madueke.
Join us on Facebook! For the latest news, analysis and more on our Mirror Football Facebook page
tom sunderland
Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, Nick Pope
Defenders: John Stones, Mark Guehi, Ezri Konsa, Dan Byrne, Nico O’Reilly, Levi Colwill, Tino Libramento, Reece James
Midfielders: Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Elliott Anderson, Cole Palmer, Adam Wharton, Morgan Rogers, Curtis Jones.
Forwards: Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Olly Watkins, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Gordon, Ebelesi Eze, Jarrod Bowen
Jordan Henderson’s era should have ended a long time ago, but it’s entering farcical territory if he continues to block the progress of players who could do real damage this summer. Given the turmoil going on at club level this season, Phil Foden should also be left out. It’s clear that Tuchel is a special player, but if he isn’t playing consistently elsewhere at City, how will selectors know how he will fit?
Eberechi Eze has been in and out of Arsenal this season (Image: Getty Images)
aaron morris
Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, James Trafford
Defenders: John Stones, Mark Guehi, Dan Byrne, Harry Maguire, Reece James, Nico O’Reilly, Luke Shaw, Trent Alexander-Arnold
Midfielders: Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Elliott Anderson, Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers, Ebelesi Eze, Adam Wharton, Jordan Henderson.
Forwards: Harry Kane, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Gordon, Marcus Rashford, Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has enjoyed a resurgence in his career at Leeds despite the team’s struggles this season and deserves to be second fiddle to Harry Kane. Jordan Henderson brings a wealth of experience to the center of the park and has enjoyed success with Brentford this season.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has had a patchy season at Real Madrid due to injuries, but I believe Thomas Tuchel should take him to a tournament this summer and give him a chance to blossom in the previous set-up. Nico O’Reilly has also been excellent for Manchester City this season and should start ahead of Luke Shaw. Jude Bellingham has been in good form of late but could be swapped for Alex Scott, who has played plenty of minutes for Bournemouth this season.
josh holland
Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, Aaron Ramsdale
Defenders: John Stones, Dan Byrne, Mark Guehi, Lewis Hall, Ezri Konsa, Harry Maguire, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Tino Libramento, Nico O’Reilly.
Midfielders: Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Elliott Anderson, Koby Mainu, Adam Wharton, Morgan Rogers, Cole Palmer.
Forwards: Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Noni Maduke, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Gordon, Ebelesi Eze, Danny Welbeck
Probably the boldest decision I made in my 26-man squad was to drop Phil Foden in favor of Eberechi Eze. The Manchester City star is no doubt on Tuchel’s World Cup shortlist, but given his recent form for the club – he hasn’t scored a Premier League goal since December – Eze could be on that list.
Meanwhile, Eze is gaining a foothold at Arsenal, becoming a key player for Mikel Arteta in Mikel Odegaard’s absence. The number 10 spot is a competitive spot for the Three Lions, but Eze’s versatility could be a key factor in his being given the chance this month.
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive Mirror Football content every day. Community members also receive special offers, promotions, and advertisements from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can always check out. If you are interested, please read our privacy notice.
