{"id":34392,"date":"2026-05-23T14:21:31","date_gmt":"2026-05-23T14:21:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/23\/manager-thomas-tuchel-makes-controversial-remarks-including-full-participation-in-englands-world-cup-squad\/"},"modified":"2026-05-23T14:21:31","modified_gmt":"2026-05-23T14:21:31","slug":"manager-thomas-tuchel-makes-controversial-remarks-including-full-participation-in-englands-world-cup-squad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/23\/manager-thomas-tuchel-makes-controversial-remarks-including-full-participation-in-englands-world-cup-squad\/","title":{"rendered":"Manager Thomas Tuchel makes controversial remarks, including full participation in England’s World Cup squad"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Here are the names of the 26 players Thomas Tuchel believes can help England win the World Cup.<\/p>\n
England coach Tuchel has announced this summer’s U.S. team, and it includes a number of big surprises and shocking omissions.<\/p>\n
Ivan Toney, 30, is a former Brentford striker who currently plays for Al Ahly in the Saudi Professional League and is one of three strikers to return after 12 months in the international wilderness.<\/p>\n
Tottenham full-back Jed Spence was included in the blitz squad at the last minute despite suffering a broken jaw in midweek.<\/p>\n
Spence, who will be playing this weekend wearing a special face mask, is rated higher than Trent Alexander-Arnold, perhaps underscoring that Tuchel is not quick to rate Real Madrid.<\/p>\n
read more: Phil Foden points finger at himself with brutal message after England World Cup canceled<\/span><\/span>read more: Paul: Cole Palmer, Harry Maguire, Phil Foden Selected from England’s World Cup squad – tell us what you think<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Tuchel appears to have recruited Spence for his versatility, allowing him to play at either right-back or left-back while Reece James and Tino Livramento have endured injury-plagued seasons.<\/p>\n
Nico O’Reilly is at left-back, Dan Byrne comes in and that’s probably why Spence came in, because he can act as a back-up on either flank.<\/p>\n
Despite the absence of Harry Maguire and Nottingham Forest’s in-form Morgan Gibbs-White, Tuchel has put in an absolutely brutal performance against the number 10.<\/p>\n
Maguire took to social media to express his frustration at the immediate disrespect, writing: “After the season so far, I was confident that I could play a key role for my country this summer. I am shocked and heartbroken by this decision.”<\/p>\n
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There is no place for Harry Maguire in the England squad (Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\u201cOver the years I have loved nothing more than wearing that shirt and representing my country and I wish the players all the best this summer.\u201d<\/p>\n
Posts quickly followed from his family, with his mother Zoe saying she was “absolutely disgusted” and her brother Joe adding: “This is probably the worst decision I’ve ever made. I have no words.”<\/p>\n
Phil Foden’s lack of game time for Manchester City has seen him go from being a fan favorite at Euro 2024 to not even being able to board a flight to the United States.<\/p>\n
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Manager Thomas Tuchel disrespected Phil Foden when naming his squad for this summer’s World Cup (Image: (Visionhaus\/Getty Images))<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Cole Palmer is absent as he struggled with both form and fitness at Chelsea, but that means Eberechi Eze will feature after a standout season at Arsenal.<\/p>\n
Regarding those who were not selected, Tuchel said: “It was a very, very difficult call. I respect them all. I made the call because it hurt and it was very difficult, and some of them were very emotional.”<\/p>\n
“In the end, we went back in September and then had a big meeting with the leadership team. From September to November we made very few changes, we had younger players, players with hunger and excitement. We wanted to create that atmosphere again for this summer.”<\/p>\n
“Does that mean any of them did anything wrong? No. But this was a difficult decision and I believe it was the right one, even if it was painful for the players.”<\/p>\n
Another player to be recognized for his performance was Ollie Watkins, who capped off a great week for the Aston Villa striker as he helped the club win the Europa League on Wednesday night.<\/p>\n
Noni Madueke was rated higher than Jarrod Bowen, while Koby Mainu was also praised for his improved form at Manchester United.<\/p>\n
Tuchel is scheduled to face the media at 11am, with the team publicly and officially announced on the FA’s new app, with Theo Walcott and Daniel Sturridge putting on a show from Wembley.<\/p>\n
Complete 2026 World Cup England squad<\/h3>\n
Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), James Trafford (Man City)<\/p>\n
Defenders: Reece James (Chelsea), Jarrell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), John Stones (Man City), Marc Guehi (Man City), Nico O’Reilly (Man City), Dan Byrne (Newcastle), Tino Livramento (Newcastle), Jed Spence (Tottenham)<\/p>\n
Midfielders: Declan Rice (Arsenal), Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Koby Mainu (Man United), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Morgan Rodgers (Aston Villa), Ebelesi Eze (Arsenal), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid).<\/p>\n
Forwards: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Noni Maduke (Arsenal), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona – on loan from Man United)<\/p>\n
Strikers: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Olly Watkins (Aston Villa), Ivan Toney (Al Ahly)<\/p>\n
john cross analysis<\/h3>\n
Manager Thomas Tuchel has been brutal and ruthless, including heavily calling up England’s World Cup squad.<\/p>\n
The England manager let go Phil Foden, Harry Maguire and Cole Palmer and brought back Ivan Toney after 12 months in the wilds of the Saudi Professional League. These are big decisions and big stakes. But this manager doesn’t have time to care about reputation, and even less what others think.<\/p>\n
Toney, 30, was thought to be far from competing in the World Cup when he left Brentford for Al Ahir, but he only played just two minutes in his final appearance, coming on as a substitute in a friendly against Senegal in June last year.<\/p>\n
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Ivan Toney named in England’s World Cup squad (Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
A year later, Toney has scored 42 goals and provided 11 assists as part of a three-strong attacking trio alongside Harry Kane and Ollie Watkins, who also returned from a cold.<\/p>\n
With Palmer and Foden, there was no room for emotion or reputation. He threw them both away, even though he believed one of them would be missed. It’s worth noting.<\/p>\n
Andy Dunn Analysis<\/h3>\n
Even if you praise Thomas Tuchel’s track record as a manager and his straight-talking style, you can’t criticize him for making strong statements. Ivan Toni is a bold choice, but when it comes to the crucial final moments of the game, Al Ahly’s striker couldn’t be more steely.<\/p>\n
Phil Foden and Adam Wharton may feel unlucky not to have made the flight, but the fact that Harry Maguire has started talking about not being in the squad probably says a lot about why Tuchel didn’t include him in the squad.<\/p>\n
Thomas, he doesn’t like egos – look at the way he treated Jude Bellingham – and, contrary to much of the evidence so far in his career, Maguire seems to have the evidence.<\/p>\n
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England’s 2026 World Cup kit<\/p>\n
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This article contains affiliate links and we receive a commission from any sales we generate from them. learn more<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Various prices<\/p>\n
england official store<\/p>\n
Buy now from England’s official store<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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England and Nike have launched new home, away and goalkeeper kits to be worn at this summer’s FIFA World Cup. Use code: ENGFREEDEL to get free shipping on all orders.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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