He was asked specifically on Foden, Palmer, and Gibbs-White’s absence from the squad. Tuchel’s answer comes to one thing: balance. “There were difficult phone calls. For some of them, it’s just a positional thing to have a balanced squad so we don’t bring five number tens. Even if it was painful, I think it was the right call for England.”

And while that makes sense, the fact is Tuchel opted to still call three attacking midfielders. Jude Bellingham, Eberechi Eze, and Morgan Rogers will have the task to convince the fans that not having Palmer, Foden, and Gibbs-White was the right call. While Harry Kane is still there, England’s 2026 World Cup roster shows 17 changes from Qatar 2022 squad.

Palmer and Foden provided other options too

While Morgan Gibbs-White is more of a traditional CAM, Cole Palmer and Phil Foden can also play as right wingers. Tuchel would rather call Noni Madueke, who only played 34% of the minutes available in the 25/26 Premier League than calling Palmer and Foden.

Still, the starting right winger will be Bukayo Saka, who is called to be the star that guides the Three Lions to their second World Cup win. Saka just won the Premier League with Arsenal, so he’s riding on high momentum coming into this tournament.

England’s attack has potential to light it up in the 2026 World Cup

It’s expected that Jude Bellingham starts at No. 10 for England. Saka will play on the right, while Marcus Rashford should get the starting spot in the left wing. Of course, Harry Kane will take the lead as the main forward.

Still, the options on the bench look good. Ivan Toney scored at will at the Saudi Pro League this season, and Ollie Watkins was prolific for Aston Villa. England should be confident on the firepower they have for this World Cup.

During the press conference, Tuchel addressed the Maguire situation. “I was surprised to read Maguire’s statement [saying he was shocked]. We had a private conversation and he had the chance to express his feelings. The decision is we stuck with the central defenders who carried us through the autumn”.

Whether fans agree or not with Maguire not getting called, the reality is Tuchel turned the tables on the defender. Also, he gave the explanation, Maguire wasn’t a part of the core that’s been recently selected.

Which defenders will go to the 2026 World Cup for England

The defenders that Tuchel called to play the 2026 World Cup feature Dan Burn, Marc Guehi, Reece James, Ezri Konsa, Tino Livramento, Nico O’Reilly, Jarell Quansah, John Stones, and Djed Spence.

It is a very young, new squad. Many of the players called are new to the scene and haven’t played in a World Cup yet. Still, it’s what Tuchel thinks he needs to get England their second World Cup in history.

Other notable omissions in England’s 2026 World Cup squad

Big-time names like Trent Alexander-Arnold, Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, Fikayo Tomori, Luke Shaw, Lewis Hall, Morgan Gibbs-White, Adam Wharton, Jarrod Bowen, and Alex Scott won’t play in the World Cup. Arguably many of them should’ve made the list.

Now Tuchel is under a lot of pressure. If he fails to deliver, his job might be in jeopardy. Many will point to his 26-man list as the reason England failed. The German manager must bring the title home for the Three Lions… or else.

Placed in Group L alongside Croatia, Ghana, and Panama, England will open their World Cup campaign on June 17 against Croatia in one of the most anticipated group-stage matches of the tournament. The new-look roster blends experienced leaders with several younger players expected to play major roles in the future of the national team.

Among the players selected for the 2026 tournament are Jordan Pickford, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, Declan Rice, and Kane, while several new faces are set to experience their first World Cup with England.

England introduces major changes from Qatar 2022 squad

England’s squad overhaul became especially noticeable through the number of established names left out of the 2026 tournament. Several veterans who played important roles during the Qatar 2022 campaign are no longer part of the national team setup as Tuchel continues reshaping the roster.

The players from England’s 2022 World Cup squad who are absent from the 2026 tournament include Kyle Walker, Harry Maguire, Jack Grealish, Raheem Sterling, Kieran Trippier, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mason Mount, Phil Foden, and James Maddison.

At the same time, England will rely on several players making their World Cup debuts, including James Trafford, Jarell Quansah, Elliot Anderson, Morgan Rogers, and Noni Madueke as the squad enters a new era around stars such as Bellingham and Saka.

Kane remains centerpiece of England’s World Cup ambitions

Even with so many roster changes, Kane remains the face of England’s national team heading into another World Cup. The Bayern Munich striker continues leading the squad after captaining England to the quarterfinals in Qatar 2022.

England enters the tournament with one of the deepest attacking groups in the competition, featuring Kane alongside Rashford, Ollie Watkins, Ivan Toney, Anthony Gordon, and Saka. Combined with the creativity of Bellingham, Eberechi Eze, and Rice in midfield, the Three Lions are once again expected to compete among the favorites in North America.

Projected starting XI for England

Jordan Pickford; Reece James, John Stones, Marc Guehi, Tino Livramento; Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Kobbie Mainoo; Bukayo Saka, Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford.

“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,“ Maguire revealed on his social media accounts. “I’ve loved nothing more than putting that shirt on and representing my country over the years. I wish the players all the best this summer.”

Following Tuchel‘s stunning decision, anticipation is building over which players will make the final cut for England’s World Cup squad in North America. The decision raises eyebrows across the landscape, as several out-of-form players remain in contention for a call-up despite Maguire already being cast aside.

Stars like Phil Foden and Cole Palmer have both endured sluggish club campaigns, leaving genuine uncertainty about whether Tuchel will count on them for the tournament. Meanwhile, rivals are already locking in their squads, with Germany recently dropping their 26-man roster anchored by veteran keeper Manuel Neuer.

What to expect from Tuchel’s 26-man roster

According to The Guardian, while a core group of players have already secured their ticket to the World Cup, a handful of bubble candidates will have to wait until Friday morning to find out if their names are on the plane.

The British media outlet revealed that pillars such as Jude Bellingham, Jordan Pickford, John Stones, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, and captain Harry Kane are locked in to lead the Three Lions under Tuchel’s guidance.

Conversely, several high-profile names are still sweating on a roster spot. Along with the aforementioned struggles of Palmer and Foden, players like Reece James, Eberechi Eze, and Noni Madueke remain on the bubble despite flashing elite potential in the Premier League over the past season.

When will Tuchel announce the 26-man roster?

According to England‘s media relations team, Thomas Tuchel will host a press conference on Friday, May 22 at 9:45 a.m. local time (4:45 a.m. ET). The FA will distribute the official roster across their digital and social media platforms before Tuchel takes questions from the press.

“Why would Argentina not rely on Messi or Portugal not rely on Cristiano Ronaldo? This is totally normal… In the absence of Harry Kane, we don’t have the same threat,” Tuchel told ITV when asked about the team’s perceived over-reliance on the striker.

England left a poor impression following a 1–1 draw against Uruguay and a surprising 1–0 defeat to Japan. The team’s lack of offensive intensity and a focal point in attack was evident, as its only goal across both matches came via defender Ben White off a corner kick.

Argentina and Portugal prove they can win without Messi and Ronaldo

While Tuchel’s assessment of a team’s dependence on a superstar holds weight, both Argentina and Portugal have demonstrated the ability to secure results without their legendary icons on the pitch. Roberto Martinez’s men proved this during the March FIFA window, securing a 2–0 victory over the USMNT, even though they were later held to a scoreless draw against Mexico.

Argentina have also shown they can thrive without their captain in even higher-stakes environments. Lionel Scaloni’s men managed a 1–0 win over Uruguay without Messi and famously thrashed Brazil 4–1 in March 2025 during the World Cup Qualifiers, proving the depth of the world champions’ squad.

Harry Kane’s monstrous season

Kane’s absence is even more striking when looking at the incredible numbers he has put up so far this season. Across 40 matches in all competitions for Bayern Munich, the English striker has a staggering 48 goals, making him by far the top scorer for both his club and the Bundesliga.

The impact Kane has on any team is immense, and his absence is equally significant. “Bayern Munich in the absence of Harry Kane does not have the same threat. No team in the world has the same threat,” Tuchel concluded in his analysis of the forward’s importance.

A pair of World Cup-minded sides close out the FIFA Matchday with plenty on the line as England looks to rebound from a hard-earned 1-1 draw against Uruguay and build momentum heading into the global stage.

Standing in their way is Japan, fresh off a gritty win over Scotland that showcased both resilience and attacking discipline. England will push for a sharper finish in front of goal, while Japan aims to prove its recent success translates against elite European opposition.

When will the England vs Japan match be played?

England play against Japan in a 2026 friendly game this Tuesday, March 31, with the match kicking off at 2:45 PM (ET).

England vs Japan: Time by State in the USA

ET: 2:45 PM
CT: 1:45 PM
MT: 12:45 PM
PT: 11:45 AM

How to watch England vs Japan in the USA

This International Friendly clash between England and Japan will be available for viewers in the USA on ViX.

The first half was a tactical stalemate with few clear-cut scoring opportunities. England dominated possession for nearly the entire 45 minutes, but they were unable to penetrate a remarkably disciplined and solid Uruguayan defense.

In the second half, Thomas Tuchel made several tactical adjustments to break the deadlock, and his changes eventually paid off. Following a pinpoint corner from Cole Palmer, defender Ben White found himself unmarked in the box and tapped the ball home to give the Three Lions a 1-0 lead.

However, just as England appeared set to celebrate a narrow victory, disaster struck for the goalscorer. Ben White went from hero to villain, committing a foul on Federico Viñas inside the box in the dying moments. Uruguay‘s captain, Federico Valverde, stepped up to the spot and clinically dispatched the penalty to rescue a draw for La Celeste.

England enter this match in peak form, boasting a seven-game winning streak after a perfect 8-0-0 record in World Cup qualifying. However, manager Thomas Tuchel has opted for an experimental approach for tonight’s game, as he will give fringe players a chance to impress the coaching staff against South American opposition.

Uruguay, led by Marcelo Bielsa, arrive at Wembley having secured the 4th spot in CONMEBOL qualifying. They are looking to bounce back from a heavy 5-1 friendly loss to the USMNT in November.

England’s confirmed lineup

Tuchel has split his 35-man camp into two groups, resting 11 established stars—including Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, and Declan Rice—specifically for the upcoming match against Japan on March 31. Furthermore, Eberechi Eze (calf) and Jarell Quansah (thigh) were forced to withdraw, replaced by Harvey Barnes and Ben White.

Confirmed lineup to face Uruguay: James Trafford; Valentino Livramento, Harry Maguire, Fikayo Tomori, Djed Spence; Jordan Henderson, James Garner; Phil Foden, Noni Madueke, Marcus Rashford; Dominic Solanke.

Uruguay’s confirmed lineup

On the Uruguayan side, Bielsa will be without Rodrigo Bentancur due to injury, as well as Nahitan Nandez, who tested positive for COVID-19. Additionally, Lucas Torreira will not be present, as he was not called up for this international window.

Confirmed lineup to face England: Fernando Muslera; Guillermo Varela, Ronald Araujo, Mathías Olivera, Joaquin Piquerez; Federico Valverde, Manuel Ugarte, Giorgian De Arrascaeta; Agustin Canobbio, Rodrigo Aguirre, Maximiliano Araujo.

[Watch England vs Uruguay online in the US on Fubo]

One of the marquee international friendly of this FIFA Matchday window features historical soccer teams such as Uruguay and England, two rivals who are already qualified for the next 2026 World Cup.

Uruguay, led by Federico Valverde, come in with questions after a 5-1 loss to the United States and are looking to reset, while England—powered by Harry Kane—aim to keep building momentum and strengthen their case as a serious contender in a highly anticipated showdown.

When will the England vs Uruguay match be played?

England face Uruguay in a 2026 friendly game this Friday, March 27, with the match kicking off at 3:45 PM (ET).

England vs Uruguay: Time by State in the USA

ET: 3:45 PM
CT: 2:45 PM
MT: 1:45 PM
PT: 12:45 PM

How to watch England vs Uruguay in the USA

This Friendly clash between England and Uruguay will be available for viewers in the USA on Fubo. Other options: DirecTV Stream, Sling Blue, FS1, ViX.

[Watch Albania vs England online in the US on Fubo]

With Group K already wrapped up after the previous round—England locking down the top spot and Albania clinching second to secure a playoff berth—the final matchup carries more of a tune-up vibe than a high-stakes showdown.

Still, with England eyeing a strong run toward the World Cup and Albania gearing up for its playoff push, both sides can use this stage as valuable preparation for the bigger challenges waiting ahead.

When will the Albania vs England match be played?

Albania play against England this Sunday, November 16, for Matchday 10 of the UEFA World Cup Qualifiers. The match is set to kick off at 12:00 PM (ET).

Albania vs England: Time by State in the USA

ET: 12:00 PM
CT: 11:00 AM
MT: 10:00 AM
PT: 9:00 AM

How to watch Albania vs England in the USA

The UEFA World Cup Qualifiers matchup between Albania and England will be available for viewers in the USA via Fubo. Other options: ViX.

Though Bellingham has been battling injuries for a while in the season, he was fully healthy to play for his national team against Serbia at Wembley Stadium. However, the coaching staff opted to go a different route.

As reported by The Athletic’s David Ornstein, England national team coach Thomas Tuchel has decided to keep Morgan Rogers in the lineup, with the Aston Villa midfielder set to play in the No. 10 role.

England’s team to host Serbia

England takes on Serbia at home in London for the second-to-last game of the UEFA 2026 World Cup Qualifiers. Aside from Rogers’ inclusion in the starting lineup, the rest of the team holds few surprises, with most of The Three Lions’ household names set to be on the pitch from kick-off.

England comes out with a 4-2-3-1 design. Jordan Pickford will be in net. Reese James will be at right-back, with John Stones and Ezri Konsa as centrebacks, and Nico O’Reilly in the left side of the defense. At midfield, Elliot Anderson and Declan Rice will split the duties. Ahead of them, a three-headed monster with the likes of Bukayo Saka, Morgan Rogers, and Marcus Rashford takes over. The cherry on top is none other than striker Harry Kane. Phil Foden will join Jude Bellingham on the bench.

Serbia’s lineup

As for the Serbian side, they will be tasked with a monstrous order to try and take down the English side in front of their fans. Serbia must win, and hope for Albania not to do likewise, in order to get ahold of the final ticket to the playoff round for the FIFA 2026 World Cup. The following will be playing for Serbia.

Serbia will come out on a 4-5-1 look. Predrag Rajkovic will start in goal for Serbia. Four defenders will be tasked with keeping England’s attacking threats in check: Aleksa Terzic, Strahinja Pavlovic, Nikola Milenkovic, and Ognjen Mimovic. In midfield, Filip Kostic, Sasa Lukic, Nemanja Gudelj, Ivan Ilic, and Andrija Zivkovic will look to control possession, while Dusan Vlahovic will lead the line as the lone striker. In Juventus’ star lies Serbia’s joker card, and their hopes of making the World Cup.