Manager Thomas Tuchel has named him in the England squad. (Image: Getty)
When manager Thomas Tuchel finalized his full 26-man England squad for this summer’s World Cup, he left out nine big names, including several big names. The Three Lions will travel to the United States, Canada and Mexico this summer in search of their first tournament win since 1966.
Tuchel gave hints about possible selections in his squad when he named 35 players for two friendlies during the March international break.
The England manager announced his World Cup squad, but some shocking decisions were made, including neglecting Harry Maguire and Cole Palmer. Ivan Toney was somewhat surprisingly included in the squad, having scored 42 goals for Al Aal in the Saudi Professional League this season.
Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson and James Trafford are Tuchel’s goalkeeper choices for this summer’s World Cup.
In defense, Reece James, John Stones, Mark Guehi, Nico O’Reilly and Tino Livramento all featured in the squad.
Former Liverpool defender Jarrell Quansah has also joined the squad following his debut season with Bayer Leverkusen, while Newcastle’s Dan Byrne, Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa and Tottenham Hotspur’s Jed Spence will also be on the flight.
However, the team is without Maguire, Levi Colwill, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Luke Shaw, so there is no place for him.
Maguire confirmed his omission from the squad in a social media post on Thursday.
“After the season so far, I was confident that I could play a big role for my country this summer,” Maguire wrote.
“I am shocked and devastated by this decision. Over the years I have loved nothing more than wearing that shirt and representing my country. I wish the players all the best this summer.”
Real Madrid star Trent Alexander-Arnold absent (Image: Getty)
Declan Rice, Elliott Anderson, Koby Mainu, Jordan Henderson, Morgan Rodgers, Ebelesi Eze and Jude Bellingham were also selected by Tuchel for England.
But there is no place for Cole Palmer, Morgan Gibbs-White, Adam Wharton or Phil Foden in the 26-man squad.
Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane, Olly Watkins and Toney have been selected by Tuchel as England forwards for this summer’s tournament.
Despite having a great individual season at West Ham, there is no place for Jarrod Bowen in the squad.
England will play friendlies against New Zealand and Costa Rica ahead of the World Cup, before facing Croatia, Ghana and Panama in the group stage.
England squad for 2026 World Cup confirmed:
Goalkeeper: Pickford, Henderson, Trafford
Defenders: James, Quansah, Konsa, Stones, Guehi, O’Reilly, Byrne, Spence, Libramento.
Midfielders: Rice, Anderson, Mainu, Henderson, Rodgers, Eze, Bellingham.
Forwards: Saka, Maduke, Rashford, Gordon, Kane, Watkins, Toney
