Inside England's World Cup squad 2026: Thomas Tuchel snubs big names but hands Ivan Toney a chance

England are hoping that 2026 will bring an end to 60 years of World Cup hope.

The Three Lions enter the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico as one of the favourites, having swept through qualification with a perfect record of eight wins from eight.

However, disappointing friendly performances in the March international break, coupled with uncertainty around the form and fitness of some top players, has dampened some of the enthusiasm around the team's chances.

Head coach Thomas Tuchel named his squad on May 22, and while he has a core of key figures certain to be on the plane, there are other selections that were harder to predict.

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England World Cup squad 2026

Tuchel named his final squad on May 22, two days before the last day of the Premier League season. However, multiple reports leaked with information on who was included and who was left out the day before.

Teams had until Monday, May 11 to submit to FIFA an official preliminary list of 35-55 players, from which they are required to name a final roster by Saturday, May 30.

Caps and stats are correct as of May 21.

England injuries ahead of World Cup

One of the most recent injuries saw Arsenal's Ben White struck down by knee ligament damage, which keeps him out of the World Cup.

Newcastle's Tino Livramento was initially the beneficiary of White's absence, but he has missed several games due to muscle problems this season, so there are concerns about his level of fitness. Then, on the eve of their opening game vs. Croatia, it was revealed that he had suffered a calf injury and would miss the tournament, with Trevoh Chalobah called up in his place. The same concerns could be raised around Reece James, who is back playing for Chelsea but whose hamstring issues have reared their head again lately.

Dominic Solanke's recent hamstring problem has largely curtailed his season, but he was facing a battle to get into the squad anyway given the depth of attacking talent at Tuchel's disposal.

Djed Spence suffered a broken jaw in Tottenham's penultimate match of the Premier League season, but will reportedly play their domestic finale with a protective mask, suggesting he will be fit to play at the World Cup.

England players snubbed from World Cup roster

A host of big-name players will find themselves watching the tournament from home this summer.

Perhaps the biggest question has centred around Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has been overlooked by Tuchel in the past and was not selected for the World Cup even though there are concerns about England's options at full-back — concerns that were amplified when Livramento suffered his injury.

The day before the roster announcement, it became known that Harry Maguire had been omitted from the final list. The Manchester United defender posted on X that he was "shocked and gutted" by the decision.

Another big star who will miss out is Phil Foden, who has endured a difficult couple of seasons when compared with his outstanding 2023/24 campaign in which he was named PFA Players' Player of the Year and FWA Footballer of the Year. Jude Bellingham, Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze are all ahead of him in the pecking order for the No. 10 role, and Noni Madueke always seemed more likely to be picked as an alternative on the right wing.

Some have called for Luke Shaw to be included given the consistent form and fitness he has shown at Manchester United, but since his last cap came in the final of Euro 2024, a return now feels unlikely. He, too, was left out of the final squad.

Cole Palmer has been excluded by Tuchel as well, as he struggled throughout the 2025/26 season while reportedly playing at less than full fitness.

England players to watch at World Cup

If England are to challenge for the trophy, they will need Harry Kane to maintain his goal-scoring form from club level this season. Kane scored a remarkable 58 goals in 50 games for Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich in all competitions.

Behind him, Jude Bellingham comes into these finals with something a point to prove after a difficult personal and collective season at Real Madrid in which consistent form and fitness have eluded him. Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers has been outstanding throughout 2025/26 and will lay a legitimate claim to Bellingham's place in the starting XI.

Declan Rice has driven Arsenal's Premier League title victory and will unquestionably be a vital component of a successful summer for England, while Elliot Anderson alongside him has the makings of a dominant midfield.

MORE: All you need to know about England's schedule at the 2026 World Cup

Who is England coach at the World Cup?

Tuchel took over as England head coach in January 2025 after Gareth Southgate stepped down in the wake of the Euro 2024 final loss to Spain.

The German is the third foreigner to be given the Three Lions job, but unlike predecessors Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello, he came into the role with a good knowledge of English football's quirks and expectations after his largely successful time at Chelsea.

A Champions League winner with the Blues, Tuchel was selected as someone with the experience of delivering in major tournaments, with his somewhat volatile nature, which has led to confrontations with senior management at various clubs, considered an acceptable risk.

Despite guiding England through qualification with minimal fuss, he is under pressure ahead of these finals. England snatched a draw at home to Uruguay before losing to Japan in their March friendlies, and both performances were greeted with boos by the Wembley crowd.

Can England replace players on World Cup roster?

Once the final roster is official, participating teams at the World Cup could only make changes before the first game of the tournament, and only in the case of extraordinary circumstances.

According to the official tournament rules (page 32), "a player listed on the final list may only be replaced in the event of serious injury or illness up until 24 hours before the start of his team's first match."

England World Cup history

England have qualified for every World Cup since 1994, the last time the tournament was held on U.S. soil. They had a perfect record of eight wins from eight to secure a place at the 2026 finals.

It is now 60 years since the Three Lions won their first and only World Cup on home turf. Southgate got them close to success, reaching the semifinals in 2018 and managing two consecutive European Championship runner-up finishes. Four years ago, they lost in the quarterfinals to defending champions France.

There is a desperation for them to go all the way at long last, and with Tuchel in charge — a man who has won major trophies with Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Bayern Munich — expectation levels are high. 

• Current FIFA World Ranking: 4 (April 2026)
• World Cup titles: 1
• World Cup appearances (last): 16 (Qatar 2022)
• How England qualified, W-L-D: UEFA Group K winners, 8-0-0
• World Cup record:
  • Games: 74 GP (32 W, 22 D, 20 L)
  • Goal differential: +36(104 GS, 68 GA)

England World Cup schedule

England, as a Pot 1 team, were drawn into Group L. Their competitors in the group will be Croatia, Ghana, and Panama.

Group L fixtures

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