Thomas Tuchel has announced England’s squad for the 2026 World Cup, with the Three Lions set to head to the United States, Mexico and Canada for the tournament that starts on June 11. The selections contained several high-profile absences, and observers compiled an XI of players who can feel unlucky to miss out, set up as a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3.
Aaron Ramsdale, on loan at Newcastle from Southampton, will not travel after being sent home from the most recent squad. Ramsdale played 23 matches for Newcastle this season, conceding 41 goals, seven of which came in a single Champions League match against Barcelona, and can feel aggrieved at missing out behind Jordan Pickford in the pecking order.
Another Newcastle player omitted was Lewis Hall, with Tottenham’s Djed Spence chosen ahead of him. Hall has been a regular for Newcastle this season and will watch on as teammates Dan Burn, Tino Livramento and Anthony Gordon make the squad.
Chelsea defender Levi Colwill, who tore his anterior cruciate ligament in August, would likely have been in contention had he been fit for much of the season. Colwill has five England caps and returned to fitness for the FA Cup final, a match Tuchel watched, but the manager judged it was too soon after the injury for inclusion.
Harry Maguire was another notable omission. The 66-cap centre back, who has tournament experience from the 2018 and 2022 World Cups and Euro 2020, has returned to form for Manchester United under Michael Carrick but was left out in favour of Bayer Leverkusen defender Jarell Quansah. Trent Alexander-Arnold did not make the squad either after a largely unremarkable season at Real Madrid; Tuchel selected Reece James and Tino Livramento over him and did not repeat the midfield experiment used at Euro 2024.
Midfielder Adam Wharton, once widely expected to be in contention, missed out after a resurgence from Kobbie Mainoo and strong competition from Elliot Anderson to partner Declan Rice in midfield. Tuchel again included Jordan Henderson in his squad, a selection that helped relegate Wharton from consideration and leave him watching from home.
