Thomas Tuchel has delivered one of the most talked-about England squad announcements in recent memory, leaving out a string of high-profile names as he confirmed his 26-man group for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.

Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Harry Maguire are the standout omissions, while striker Ivan Toney earns a shock recall despite playing just 7 minutes of international football since Euro 2024.

Toney's surprise return

Toney's inclusion is the most unexpected of the squad. The former Brentford forward — now at Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League — has been in blistering form, scoring 32 goals in 32 league appearances this season. He told Sky Sports in February that he still held hopes of making the squad, and Tuchel has rewarded that form with a place in the group.

High-profile omissions send shockwaves

The exclusions of Palmer and Foden are among the most striking decisions. Tuchel has spoken at length about his options in the No. 10 role, and with Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers already confirmed, he ultimately decided he could not accommodate either Chelsea's Palmer or Manchester City's Foden as well.

Alexander-Arnold and Maguire also miss out, along with Nottingham Forest forward Morgan Gibbs-White, Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, Newcastle defender Lewis Hall, Manchester United's Luke Shaw, and West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen.

Notable inclusions

Among those who did make the cut, Tottenham Hotspur defender Djed Spence, Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, and Arsenal pair Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke earn their places. Bayer Leverkusen defender Jarell Quansah, Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins, and the experienced duo of John Stones and Jordan Henderson also feature.

England's full squad

Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, James Trafford.

Defenders: Reece James, Ezri Konsa, Jarell Quansah, John Stones, Marc Guehi, Dan Burn, Nico O'Reilly, Djed Spence, Tino Livramento.

Midfielders: Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Kobbie Mainoo, Jordan Henderson, Morgan Rogers, Jude Bellingham, Eberechi Eze.

Forwards: Harry Kane, Ivan Toney, Ollie Watkins, Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Gordon, Noni Madueke.

What's next for England

England depart for the United States on Monday, 1 June — 16 days before their opening group game against Croatia on 17 June in Dallas. They will be based at Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City, Missouri for the duration of the tournament.

Before their tournament opener, Tuchel's side face warm-up matches against New Zealand on 6 June and Costa Rica on 10 June, both kicking off at 9pm UK time.

England's Group L fixtures pit them against Croatia (17 June, Dallas), Ghana (23 June, Boston), and Panama (27 June, New York-New Jersey). For African football fans, the clash against Ghana's Black Stars on 23 June will be a particularly compelling encounter.

The World Cup final is scheduled for 19 July.