Thomas Tuchel has never shied away from hard calls or surprise selections, and his England squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is entirely consistent with that reputation. Whether it is leaving Jude Bellingham out despite the Real Madrid star's desire to be included, or publicly declaring Harry Maguire only the fifth-choice centre-back after a promising return to international football in March, Tuchel refuses to bow to sentiment or a star system.

Where predecessor Gareth Southgate drew consistent criticism for caution and conservatism, Tuchel's unyielding trust in his own instincts has firmly established him as the anti-Southgate. He has spoken of "proof of concept" before, and that proof will arrive within weeks — but there is no denying that this squad carries the fingerprints of a man who is willing to roll the dice.

Toney's return — the wildest gamble of all

Ivan Toney's recall after a full year in the wilderness stands as the most striking selection of the lot. It is simultaneously a remarkable act of faith from Tuchel and a damning verdict on every other player with a claim to be Harry Kane's understudy.

It also highlights what must be England's deepest anxiety: what happens if injury befalls their all-time record scorer Kane? Toney, now 30, was called up twelve months ago, offered two minutes as a substitute in a 3-1 friendly defeat against Senegal, then quietly discarded. Now he returns as part of Tuchel's World Cup masterplan.

Toney has contributed 42 goals for Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League this season — not the sharpest barometer of international pedigree, but the numbers are hard to dismiss entirely. He carries a cool temperament and is an accomplished penalty taker. Yet questions remain: why was he not selected for England's March friendlies if Tuchel already had him in mind? And what does his inclusion say about Dominic Calvert-Lewin, or the overlooked Brighton veteran Danny Welbeck?

Midfield creators left behind

Tuchel has resolved the debate over Manchester City's Phil Foden and Chelsea's Cole Palmer by leaving both out — a decision that will raise eyebrows, even if their form this season offers some justification. But the omissions that may sting the hardest belong to Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White, Bournemouth's Alex Scott, and Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton, an elegant passer who perhaps lacks the high-intensity pressing Tuchel demands.

Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson are set to anchor the midfield, but the argument that England could have accommodated at least one more creative option is difficult to counter — particularly when Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins and Toney both occupy space as Kane deputies. The further question of whether Bellingham or Aston Villa's impressive Morgan Rogers fills the number 10 role remains to be answered.

Brentford's Jordan Henderson, who will turn 36 on the day England open against Croatia, retains Tuchel's trust, though his opportunities for minutes at the World Cup look limited.

Tuchel must make the case for his defence

Maguire was not only "shocked and gutted" by his exclusion — his mother Zoe described herself as "absolutely disgusted." Neither reaction will move Tuchel, but his defensive selections invite genuine scrutiny.

John Stones, on ability alone, would normally start England's opening World Cup fixture. The concern is his fitness: he has managed only four Premier League starts this season, 12 across all competitions. Tuchel will be keeping fingers crossed, and may yet be forced to revisit Maguire should Stones break down again. Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, and Bayer Leverkusen's Jarell Quansah — formerly of Liverpool — complete the central defensive options.

At right-back, Reece James is first choice but has endured further hamstring trouble. Manchester City's Nico O'Reilly can cover the left while offering versatility, and Tino Livramento — another player with an injury history — can operate on either flank. That flexibility raises the question of whether Newcastle United's Dan Burn earns his place on merit or on another Tuchel gut feeling.

Burn is a commanding presence at set pieces, but has looked uncomfortable in possession and against quick forwards in an England shirt. Left-back specialists Lewis Hall, Luke Shaw, and Myles Lewis-Skelly — all of whom have looked at ease at international level — have been bypassed entirely.

The inclusion of Djed Spence, capable of playing on both flanks, will inevitably reignite the Trent Alexander-Arnold debate. Alexander-Arnold was effectively ruled out when he missed a 35-man training camp for friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, before Arsenal's Ben White was preferred as a replacement. Whether Spence genuinely offers more than the Real Madrid full-back — in defence or attack — is a question Tuchel has answered in his own way.

Every decision Tuchel has made carries risk. When the World Cup begins, the size of those stakes will become very clear.