Thomas Tuchel has announced his first squad as new England manager; England play Albania and Latvia at Wembley in their first World Cup 2026 Qualifiers; Marcus Rashford and Myles Lewis-Skelly among those included
Tuchel believes in a revitalized Rashford
Marcus Rashford was in limbo just a few weeks ago, out of favor at Manchester United and without a clear path out of the team. After a successful start on loan at Aston Villa, the 27-year-old’s return to the England fold completes a swift turnaround in his life.
At Villa, Unai Emery has been easing him into play bit by bit. He has only started four of nine games, but his midweek assist against Club Brugge was his fourth in just 461 minutes on the field. It is clear that Thomas Tuchel has seen enough to think he can get back to his best. After a year in foreign exile, he gets called up.
England fixtures | World Cup 2026 European qualifying: Fixtures and full schedule
England head coach Thomas Tuchel on Rashford
“I had the strong feeling that we should nominate him, bring him in to push him to stay on that level and not fall back in old routines. This camp is to bond with him and push him to stay on that level.”
The 2026 World Cup is undoubtedly the focus of the England manager’s preparations, and Rashford has tournament experience from playing in the two previous tournaments. He scored three goals in just 137 minutes while playing in Qatar, where he was underutilized. He is a revolutionary choice. He now has another opportunity to demonstrate it on a global scale.
Wright, Nick
After being left out, Grealish’s prospects seem dismal.
Jack Grealish is left staring in from the sidelines as Rashford celebrates rejoining the team. Under Lee Carsley, the winger was a highlight in the September and October training sessions. He played well in the No. 10 position against Finland and the Republic of Ireland, but an injury kept him out of the team in November, and since then, he has not played much for Manchester City.
A 2-1 loss to his old team, Aston Villa, on December 21 is the last Premier League game in which Grealish has started. Now, a man who was ruthlessly left out of Gareth Southgate’s squad for Euro 2024 must battle to regain his spot in the upcoming international competition. His prospects are not bright at the moment.
Wright, Nick
Tuchel relying on his background
Tuchel has managed to strike a delicate balance between relying on experience and giving young, promising players like Myles Lewis-Skelly and Tino Livramento a chance in the senior group.
Less than a year after his previous involvement with the national team, Jordan Henderson returns to the Three Lions group.
After making an impression since leaving Manchester City for AC Milan in January, Kyle Walker also keeps his position.
Tuchel appears to have a clear plan. The goal is to win the World Cup in 2026, and he has only committed to a short-term contract with England. He needs both the thrilling talents to see them through to the end and experience on the global stage to accomplish that.
Although Henderson’s style of play does not usually make headlines, Tuchel was obviously impressed when he traveled to the Netherlands to watch him play for Ajax, so his return is a major call.
Rowe, Patrick
Youngsters with injuries miss their opportunity to shine.
During this international window, Tuchel will see most, but not all, of the England crop. Bukayo Saka is a clear choice for any major event, so it may be pointless to miss him, but among those injured are also potential young players Noni Madueke, Lewis Hall, and Kobbie Mainoo. If they continue to play for their teams through the summer of next year, everyone is in with a shout.
John Stones and Trent Alexander-Arnold are both certain to be selected, although Tuchel does not have access to either of them at this time. With only six Premier League starts and 545 league minutes overall, Stones’ injury record is concerning. He has missed much more games than he has played this season. Luke Shaw’s problems with injuries are also widely known.
Although Tuchel wants to get started right away and build a relationship with the players he feels he can trust, there is still time for those with fitness issues to make a comeback. Only six windows remain until the World Cup begins for the German to make his final pick.
Laura Hunter
Foden is under pressure to do well.
Although Phil Foden managed to make it into this England team, Tuchel is expecting him to do well.
The Premier League Player of the Season from the previous season has suffered a sharp decline in performance this season. His seven goals in 23 Premier League games are a small sample of the caliber of play he displayed in 2023–2024.
Even while playing at his best in domestic football, Foden has only scored four goals in his 43 appearances for England, which is partially because to Man City’s difficulties this season.
Saka and Madueke’s injuries have made it easier for him to get into Tuchel’s starting lineup, but he could lose his spot in the international picture if he does not take advantage of this chance.
Rowe, Patrick
Has Watkins been added to the list of injuries?
Ollie Watkins, a forward for Aston Villa and England’s Euro 2024 hero, is conspicuously missing from the team, although his most recent appearance for Villa may help to explain why.
Watkins had asked to be substituted at halftime because he “did not feel good” following a minor injury, Emery disclosed following the 3-0 victory over Club Brugge.
The extent of the setback has not yet been established, but Tuchel has decided to use Tottenham’s Dominic Solanke, who just returned from a knee injury last weekend, as Kane’s backup in the team at Watkins’ expense.
There are just two established strikers in Tuchel’s starting lineup for England since Jarrod Bowen and Rashford can both play through the middle but their skills lie out wide.
Rowe, Patrick
Rogers was praised for his reliability.
Morgan Rogers is well-deserving of his first outright call-up. The midfielder for Aston Villa was selected as a backup and played in both games against Greece and Ireland after benefiting from many injury withdrawals during the November training camp.
However, if he continues to play well for Villa, he will start this time. He is one of England’s most effective midfield options with twelve goals and seven assists, including 11 goals in the Premier League.
In addition to his great combination play, he frequently contributes to the build-up to Villa goals, if not the actual scoring. Harry Kane could benefit greatly from his inventiveness.
Laura Hunter
Is Lewis-Skelly the solution to England’s left-back issues?
Myles Lewis-Skelly, an Arsenal defender, received his first call-up; might he be the team’s long-term left-back solution?
With Shaw still recovering from injury, Ben Chillwell reviving his career at Crystal Palace, and Lewis Hall sidelined for the rest of the season due to injury, Lewis-Skelly has the ideal opportunity to establish himself in the team, which is exactly what England has been longing for.
You may argue that he is the obvious choice even if he is not injured. With the exception of a few moments of lack of focus and discipline, the 18-year-old has been an absolute revelation for Arsenal in his debut campaign and consistently shows brilliance beyond his years.
This season, he has made 25 appearances for the Gunners, including six Champions League games. It is time to take the stage internationally now.
Rowe, Patrick
