LIVEEngland World Cup squad announcement: Thomas Tuchel's squad -

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Follow Daily Mail Sport’s live blog as Thomas Tuchel names his 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup in USA, Canada and Mexico.

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12:30

REMINDER: England’s WC 26-man squad

By Harry Bamforth

It’s been a few hours now, so it’s time for a cheeky reminder of the World Cup squad.

The more you look at it, the more it baffles you. Well, that’s what I’m finding, anyway.

Here is the 26-man England squad bound for North America:

GOALKEEPERS: Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, James Trafford

DEFENCE: Ezri Konsa, John Stones, Marc Guehi, Dan Burn, Jarell Quansah, Tino Livramento, Nico O’Reilly, Djed Spence, Reece James

MIDFIELD: Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Kobbie Mainoo, Jordan Henderson, Morgan Rogers, Jude Bellingham, Eberechi Eze

FORWARDS: Harry Kane (C), Ivan Toney, Ollie Watkins, Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Gordon

12:21

WATCH: Tuchel explains his decisions

By Harry Bamforth

I know that 99 per cent of you reading this are not happy with the World Cup squad.

If you were able to, you’d ask Thomas Tuchel a bunch of questions as to why he made the calls he did.

Luckily for you, journalists did do that earlier, and here is what Tuchel had to say.

Spoke quite well, I think.

12:14

Maguire’s wailing over snub was undignified

By Harry Bamforth

Jeff Powell MBE:

It is the phone call or the arm round the shoulder every World Cup wannabee dreads. The moment when he’s told he won’t be going to the greatest show on earth.

Football’s version of two uniformed military officers standing sad-faced on the porch. Nothing like as grief-stricken, of course, as learning that a husband, son, brother or daughter has made the supreme sacrifice for their country.

Read more below:

What Maguire’s undignified wailing over World Cup snub could cost him

JEFF POWELL MBE: It is the phone call or the arm round the shoulder every World Cup wannabe dreads. The moment when he’s told he won’t be going to the greatest show on earth.

12:05

FAN REACTION: ‘Guess he’s picking players based on club performance’

By Harry Bamforth

Anonymous, UK: No Gibbs-White, Bowen, or Palmer, but Noni makes it with 2 goals and 1 assist. I guess he’s picking players based on club performance rather than individual form.

11:59

Madueke worthy of his spot?

By Harry Bamforth

Wow, just wow.

The fact that Thomas Tuchel believes Noni Madueke is one of the best wingers in the world is, well… outrageous.

Don’t get me wrong, I like the lad, I actually had him in my squad to begin with because he’s been very good when deputising for Bukayo Saka for Arsenal this season, and has shone for England.

However, that doesn’t mean he is one of the world’s best. Just ludicrous.

I know there are many people out there who don’t think that Madueke should have been in the squad at all.

I think he will be a good squad player, personally, but nothing more.

England's German head coach Thomas Tuchel (L) consoles England's midfielder Noni Madueke (C) as he leaves the game, injured during the friendly International football match between England and Uruguay at Wembley Stadium, west London, on March 27, 2026. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP via Getty Images) / NOT FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING USE / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE

11:50

‘Tuchel believes Madueke is one of the best wingers in the world’

By Harry Bamforth

Ian Ladyman, Football Editor, on Noni Madueke:

Tuchel and his assistant Anthony Barry love Madueke. They see him as one of the best players in the world in his position. I must admit I haven’t seen it yet.

BELGRADE, SERBIA - SEPTEMBER 09: Noni Madueke of England celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Serbia and England at Rajko Mitic Stadium on September 09, 2025 in Belgrade, Serbia. (Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

Read more of Ian’s opinions in the comment section…

11:42

Shearer chooses his XI

By Harry Bamforth

Interesting, very interesting.

Alan Shearer has shared who he would name in his England starting line-up for their first World Cup group fixture against Croatia, when speaking to Betfair.

It’s fair to say that one call has stood out above all the others. Well, for me at the very least.

Shearer believes that Morgan Rogers should start ahead of Jude Bellingham in the No.10 role. He acknowledges it’s a big call, but believes Rogers ‘deserves’ the starting shirt.

I think many would agree, no?

11:37

‘Burn is scarily far from being international class’

By Harry Bamforth

Ian Ladyman, Football Editor, on Dan Burn’s inclusion:

I will be honest here. Dan Burn is so far from being an international class central defender it’s quite scary. Perfectly decent at Premier League level and fabulous character but he is not elite level. I watched him fill in at left-back when Newcastle played at Arsenal recently and he was running in sand up against Noni Madueke.

It’s been clear for a year that Tuchel would take him but that doesn’t mean I am any closer to understanding it. I agree that the centre of the defence looks vulnerable. It will rely heavily on the fitness of Marc Guehi, John Stones and Ezri Konsa. And also – and this is important – on the work of Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson sitting in front of them.

England's Dan Burn controls the ball during the World Cup Group K qualifying match between England and Andorra at Villa Park stadium in Birmingham, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025 . (AP Photo/Dave Shopland)

Read more of Ian’s opinions in the comment section…

11:30

The famous eight

By Harry Bamforth

Have you guessed?

Well, if you haven’t, I’m sorry, I’m about to reveal the eight players who played at the 2022 World Cup for England, and will also be in North America this summer.

Here are the eight that remain:

Jordan Pickford
John Stones
Declan Rice
Jordan Henderson
Jude Bellingham
Marcus Rashford
Bukayo Saka
Harry Kane

AL KHOR, QATAR - DECEMBER 10: Jordan Henderson gives the ball to Harry Kane of England before the latter takes a penalty for England during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 quarter final match between England and France at Al Bayt Stadium on December 10, 2022 in Al Khor, Qatar. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

11:21

How many remain from 2022?

By Harry Bamforth

I have just had a look at the squad that went to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and wow…

Only eight players have kept their place. Yep, just eight.

Some of the names that made that squad of 26, well, you just wouldn’t believe it. Conor Coady, Eric Dier, and even Callum Wilson went to Qatar.

Times move on quickly, don’t they?

Reckon you could guess who the players are that kept their place in the squad?

Quick, let me know before I reveal it in the next post…

Handout photo dated 14/11/22 issued by The FA of the Prince of Wales (middle row, fourth right) posing for a photo with the 2022 England World Cup squad, at St George's Park in Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire. The Prince of Wales has visited the England squad at St George???s Park ahead of the team???s trip to the World Cup in Qatar. William joined a private team meeting and presented the players with their shirt numbers on Monday evening. Picture date: Monday November 14, 2022. PA Photo. See PA story ROYAL WorldCup. Photo credit should read: Eddie Keogh/The FA/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.

11:13

Trent left out

By Harry Bamforth

What is it about Trent Alexander-Arnold and England?

Despite being one of the best full-backs in the modern game for years and years, he has never converted his club form to the international game.

Gareth Southgate never really fancied him, and now Thomas Tuchel has gone one step further than Southgate and omitted him from a World Cup squad completely.

It seems that the big move to Real Madrid, which was meant to boost him toward being a Ballon d’Or-worthy player, hasn’t quite had the desired effect.

Look, Alexander-Arnold has his flaws, but he should be in that squad. The full-back is one of the most talented players in the world, and on his day, he can carve open teams for breakfast. Like a quarterback.

Maybe he isn’t good enough to start, given his form, but the fact that he hasn’t made the 26 is crazy in my eyes.

He must be gutted.