Thomas Tuchel has begun delivering the difficult phone calls to players who have missed out, with England's 26-man World Cup squad set to be announced on Friday. For those making the cut, the reward is a genuine shot at glory — England travel to North America as one of the tournament favourites, with the final scheduled for 19 July in New Jersey. For those receiving bad news, it is a summer of regret.

The fitness concerns in defence

Tuchel's most complex selection debates have centred on his defensive options, where injury has played havoc with his planning. Centre-back John Stones would ordinarily be among the first names written down — Tuchel identified Stones alongside captain Harry Kane and Declan Rice as the core of his leadership group from the moment he took charge. The England manager maintained regular contact with all three during his early months in the role.

The problem is that Stones has managed just four Premier League starts this season. Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa appear certain to travel, while Harry Maguire's return to the international fold in March has bolstered his own prospects. Jarell Quansah's ability to play multiple roles could work in his favour, though Trevoh Chalobah and Fikayo Tomori face long odds despite featuring in March's friendlies against Uruguay and Japan. Levi Colwill, only recently back from a cruciate ligament injury, was named in Tuchel's extended 55-man preliminary list but is unlikely to make the final selection.

The Trent Alexander-Arnold question

At right-back, attention inevitably falls on Trent Alexander-Arnold. The Real Madrid man's prospects look uncertain — he was not involved in March's internationals even as Tuchel called up more than 30 players, and last year Tuchel indicated that Quansah, a centre-back by trade, was ahead of Alexander-Arnold in his thinking.

Yet circumstances may yet conspire in his favour. Reece James, the expected first-choice right-back, has been plagued by injury this season. Tino Livramento has not featured since mid-April owing to a thigh problem, while Arsenal's Ben White remains sidelined with a serious knee injury. Those absences could reopen the door. England are also expected to dominate possession in their Group L fixtures against Croatia, Ghana, and Panama — a dynamic that suits Alexander-Arnold's technical strengths. Tottenham Hotspur's Djed Spence, who has played four times under Tuchel, is another name in the mix at that position.

On the left, Luke Shaw's recent return to form has presented Tuchel with a welcome dilemma. Manchester City's Nico O'Reilly has been in outstanding form and looks set to be included, with Newcastle United pair Dan Burn and Lewis Hall also hoping to make the plane.

Who backs up Kane?

Harry Kane travels as England's captain and undisputed first-choice striker. The competition to serve as his deputy — with Tuchel reportedly weighing up taking three forwards — is fierce. Ollie Watkins missed the previous squad but has forced his way back into contention by scoring 11 goals in 14 games for Aston Villa. Ivan Toney, who has spent nearly a year out of the international picture and now plays in Saudi Arabia, has not abandoned hope, with his penalty-taking ability a potential factor in his favour.

Danny Welbeck, who has scored 14 goals this season for Brighton, has his supporters, though his last England appearance came in September 2018. The 35-year-old was included in Tuchel's preliminary list. Dominic Solanke is a doubt due to a muscle injury, while Dominic Calvert-Lewin continues to make a compelling case — the striker has reached 15 goals for the season, including the winner in Leeds United's 1-0 victory over Brighton last Saturday.

The number 10 debate

No question has defined Tuchel's tenure quite like the search for his number 10. His decision last October to leave out Jude Bellingham — then just returning from injury — raised eyebrows, as it allowed Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers to consolidate his position. Rogers started five of England's eight World Cup qualifying matches and has become central to Tuchel's collective approach.

Cole Palmer and Phil Foden are both waiting anxiously. Palmer has started just twice under Tuchel, having missed much of the qualifying campaign through injury. Foden was the sole England player to start both friendlies in March but failed to impress, and Tuchel has since acknowledged that the Manchester City midfielder — who has not been a regular starter at club level — is not guaranteed a place in the squad.