England will confirm their 26-man squad for the World Cup on Friday, and Thomas Tuchel has made the difficult decision to omit several high-profile names, including Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Harry Maguire, and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Tuchel's tough calls
Thomas Tuchel began making phone calls 48 hours before naming his World Cup squad, starting with the tough conversations before informing the 26 players who made the cut. Ivan Toney hopes to be among the three strikers selected, while Jordan Henderson and Ollie Watkins are also vying for places. Manchester City star Phil Foden is set to miss out, alongside Cole Palmer, arguably the biggest omissions. Trent Alexander-Arnold is also expected to be left out.
Manchester United defender Harry Maguire was one of the unlucky ones, a heartbreaking decision that effectively ends the 34-year-old's international career. This was not unexpected, as Tuchel made it clear in March that Maguire was sixth choice behind John Stones, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, Trevoh Chalobah, and Dan Burn. Levi Colwill, who had returned to contention, is also expected to miss out.
Maguire confirmed: "I was confident I could have played a major part this summer for my country after the season I've had. I've been left shocked and gutted by the decision. I wish the players all the best."
Fikayo Tomori has been told he will not be included, and Luke Shaw is not expected to be promoted from the initial 55-man list into the final 26. These are the big calls, with players facing heartbreak or joy as Tuchel's squad is unveiled on Friday.
Reveal and preparations
The Football Association will reveal the squad via their new app, with Daniel Sturridge and Theo Walcott presenting. England boss Tuchel will then outline his choices ahead of the team's departure to the United States on June 1 for a camp in Florida, followed by Kansas City to prepare for Group fixtures against Croatia, Ghana, and Panama.
Tuchel is concerned about the fitness of key players and faces an issue at right-back. Ben White would almost certainly have been selected to back up Reece James, but now England are waiting on Tino Livramento. Jarell Quansah looks a certain inclusion as he can play both right-back and centre-back, while Colwill has returned at the right time after impressing in the FA Cup final.
Manchester City defender Stones has been assured he will be picked despite a lack of game time for his club. Brentford midfielder Henderson is in a similar position and brings experience. Tuchel even stated in March that he did not need to assess Newcastle defender Burn because he already knew his capabilities.
Midfield and striker decisions
Tuchel has an abundance of playmakers in midfield, including Foden, Palmer, and Eberechi Eze, but not all can go. He has made it known that he wants to take three strikers. Harry Kane, the captain, talisman, and record scorer, is a certainty, leaving two spots open. Aston Villa striker Watkins was left out in March but has been in sensational form since and is expected to make the cut.
After the second friendly in March against Japan, Tuchel held an exhaustive meeting with coaches Anthony Barry and Justin Cochrane. They decided to look again, potentially outside the 35 names in that squad for Japan and Uruguay. Bukayo Saka missed out through injury, while Noni Madueke expects to be in the squad. Foden was given his chance but did not take it.
At that point, Tuchel considered taking two strikers and using a false nine, with Foden, Palmer, and Jude Bellingham capable of playing that role, but they reconsidered. There seemed no way back for former Brentford striker Toney, as Tuchel has not visited Saudi Arabia to see him play. However, there has been a change of heart, and Toney is back in the picture, along with Danny Welbeck and Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Dom Solanke is injured, so Toney is back in contention despite his last England appearance being a late substitute against Senegal a year ago.
