By Liberty Nicholson-Hulse
England boss Thomas Tuchel has named a shock 35-man squad for upcoming friendlies against Uruguay and Japan at Wembley.
The extraordinary selection hands a group of fringe players a final chance to stake their claim ahead of the 2026 World Cup, with matches on March 27 against Uruguay and March 31 against Japan providing the perfect stage to impress.
Which players have been named in the England squad?
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson, Jordan Pickford, James Trafford, Aaron Ramsdale, Jason Steele.
Defenders: Dan Burn, Marc Guéhi, Lewis Hall, Ezri Konsa, Tino Livramento, Harry Maguire, Nico O’Reilly, Jarell Quansah, Djed Spence, John Stones, Fikayo Tomori.
Midfielders: Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, James Garner, Jordan Henderson, Kobbie Mainoo, Declan Rice, Morgan Rogers, Adam Wharton.
Forwards: Jarrod Bowen, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Eberechi Eze, Phil Foden, Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane, Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer, Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, Dominic Solanke.
Everton midfielder James Garner earns his first senior call-up, while AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomori returns to the squad for the first time since 2023.
Manchester United pair Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo are also included.
Sky Sports News reports that each nation will be able to select 26 players for this summer’s tournament.
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Final audition before the World Cup
With England already qualified, Tuchel made clear this camp represents the final chance for players to impress before the 2026 tournament.
He said: “This March camp is a unique one… It’s the last chance to impress and compete for a spot.”
“That is why we have split the squad.”
Tuchel made headlines by leaving out big names including Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ollie Watkins and Luke Shaw, insisting selection is now about balance rather than reputation.
He said: “We decided to divide it into two camps, almost. We have a camp where we bring players in who we haven’t seen, who haven’t played so much to open up the competition for plane tickets to the US.”
“From Friday/Saturday, a group will come into camp who get a rest before. We will go with a new group of players into the match against Japan.”
On Trent Alexander-Arnold’s omission, Tuchel added: “It’s a tough decision, and Trent is a big name – a huge talent with an impressive career.”
“I know what he can give us, but I’ve opted for others. The players in camp at right full-back must push to earn their spot on the plane to the World Cup.”
Striker battle “a real opportunity”
With Harry Kane still England’s undisputed first-pick, Tuchel is using the camp to assess his back-up options, having named 10 forwards in his selection, including Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Dominic Solanke.
He said: “Dominic has been out for a long time due to injury, but he’s had a good season.
“He’s decisive and also a good penalty taker. I want to see what these players are capable of, to understand how they can contribute, particularly with set-pieces, using their strength and height.”
“They have a real chance to play, and of course, they’re excited about the call-up.”
Late arrivals “have credit” with Tuchel
A group of senior players including Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Harry Kane will join the squad later, with Tuchel keen to manage workloads.
He explained: “These guys have played 3,500 minutes, some 4,000 minutes.
“More important than the pure number of minutes is some of these guys have played more minutes than the whole of last season.”
“To give them a break mentally and physically, we will benefit from it.”
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“Trial” role for fourth goalkeeper
Tuchel also revealed a unique plan to take four goalkeepers to the World Cup, handing Brighton’s Jason Steele a surprise call-up.
He said: “[Steele] will support the goalkeeper group. He will support the goalkeeper coach.”
“He will support a penalty-taking group and take a lot of workload off the other shoulders.”
“Nobody is on the plane… the trial is now the March camp.”
Alex Scott and Nick Pope, who were named in the November squad, miss out this time, with Pope now behind Aaron Ramsdale in the pecking order at both club and international level.
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