Tuchel Relieved After Announcing England's World Cup Squad – Ready to Board the Plane
England manager Thomas Tuchel expressed relief after finalizing his 2026 World Cup squad, despite criticism over the exclusion of Harry Maguire, Cole Palmer, and Phil Foden. Tuchel said the clarity from completed selections has him eager to
Thomas Tuchel, England's national team manager, announced that he is ready to depart for the 2026 FIFA World Cup following the completion of the Three Lions' squad announcement. Although there has been criticism from English football fans regarding Tuchel's World Cup squad selections, particularly the absence of several high-profile players including Harry Maguire, Cole Palmer, and Phil Foden, Tuchel recently opened up after the squad announcement, saying: "I've had a lot of phone calls over the past three days, and of course there's a lot to think about, many decisions to make, difficult decisions. Right now I feel relieved and excited, and ready to go, because when you get your energy back, when you see the excitement of the players you've selected, and when the decisions have been made, it brings clarity. Within a week or maybe just over a week, we'll be on the plane, and I can't wait to be on board and to be the coach."
England's 2026 World Cup squad consists of:
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Jordan Henderson (Crystal Palace), James Trafford (Manchester City)
Defenders: Reece James (Chelsea), Jade Speakman (Tottenham Hotspur), John Stones (Manchester City), Marc Guéhi (Manchester City), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Dan Burn (Newcastle United), Jarrell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Nico O'Reilly (Manchester City), Tino Livramento (Newcastle United)
Midfielders: Elliott Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)
Forwards: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa), Ivan Toney (Al Ahli), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Noni Madueke (Arsenal), Aberebchi Ezeah (Arsenal), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona on loan from Manchester United)
