During the morning of this Friday, May 22, the German coach Thomas Tuchel published the call for England for the 2026 World Cupwith the surprising inclusion of several footballers and the exclusion of others considered by many fans as pillars of the last European finals of the English team.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Cole Palmer, Phil FodenAdam Wharton and Harry Maguire are the main absences from England’s World Cup list, while Jude BellinghamMarcus Rashford and the surprises Jordan Henderson and Ivan Tony yes they were included. With this, Thomas Tuchel made unexpected decisions in the call.
According to the German coach, the absences of Palmer and Foden, two players important in recent years, are due to the state of form of both and that England has an “overreserve” in the midfielder. For this reason, Morgan Gibbs-White did not make the list either, despite his excellent campaign with Nottingham Forest.
Given this situation, the list of 26 footballers who will travel to the United States next Wednesday, June 10 to try to conquer the second World Cup in the history of the Three Lions has generated controversy on social networks, mainly because fans consider that Tuchel did not make the right decisions.
“It is not necessary to choose the most talented”
When asked about the multiple lows On the list of those called up for the 2026 World Cup, German coach Thomas Tuchel stressed that the teams are the ones that win these championships and that it was not necessary to choose the 26 players most talented of England, referring to Phil FodenCole Palmer and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
“Teams win championships, it’s that simple. What we are going to try to achieve this summer can only be achieved from the unit. From day one we have always wanted to build the best possible block, which is not necessarily choosing the 26 most talented soccer players,” added the German during a press conference in London.
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This is because there have also been surprises in defense, since Harry Maguirefrom Manchester United, was not called up despite the absences of Ben White and Kyle Walker. For that reason, Tuchel opted for Reece JamesDjed Spencer and Tino Livramentowho has not had continuity due to an injury that has bothered him for months.
“They have been decisions very difficult and conversations very painful. If everyone is eligible, it’s a given that we have to leave some great players at home. We have chosen a balanced team in all positions. “We have specialists for all types of situations,” explained the former Chelsea technical director.
England’s list for the 2026 World Cup
Goalkeepers:
- Jordan Pickford (Everton)
- Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace)
- James Trafford (Manchester City)
Defenses:
- Reece James (Chelsea)
- Tino Livramento (Newcastle)
- Marc Guéhi (Manchester City)
- Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa)
- John Stones (Manchester City)
- Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen)
- Nico O’Reilly (Manchester City)
- Dan Burn (Newcastle)
- Djed Spence (Tottenham)
Midfielders:
- Declan Rice (Arsenal)
- Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest)
- Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
- Jordan Henderson (Brentford)
- Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)
- Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United)
Fronts:
- Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
- Ivan Toney (Al-Ahli)
- Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)
- Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
- Noni Madueke (Arsenal)
- Marcus Rashford (Barcelona)
- Anthony Gordon (Newcastle)
- Eberechi Eze (Arsenal)
It’s official. Your #ThreeLions players heading to the @FIFAWorldCup! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/lqsDBYSP4X
— England (@England) May 22, 2026