Winners and losers from Thomas Tuchel’s England squad announcement
A radical expansion of the Three Lions camp ahead of the World Cup, as the German tactician calls up 35 players for the upcoming international break
Thomas Tuchel has sent a clear message of tactical experimentation and ruthless pragmatism by naming a massive 35-man squad for the upcoming Wembley double-header against Uruguay and Japan.
This March window serves as the final major audition before the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, and the German head coach has opted for a unique two-stage reporting process to maximise his look at the player pool.
The result is a selection that rewards resurgent veterans and fresh faces while brutally casting aside some of the most recognisable names of the previous era.
The Big Winners: Resurgence and fresh opportunities
The most striking inclusion is Everton’s James Garner, who earns his first senior call-up as a reward for consistent Premier League performances.
In the attacking third, Dominic Calvert-Lewin has completed a remarkable journey back to the international fold. The Leeds striker receives his first England call-up in half a decade, providing a physical profile that Tuchel clearly feels is missing from the current rotation.
He is joined by Tottenham Hotspur’s Dominic Solanke, another forward benefiting from the coach’s desire to heighten the internal competition for those final plane tickets to the United States.
Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire also find themselves back in favour, suggesting that Tuchel still values the blend of youthful composure and experienced leadership they provide.
Maguire’s last appearance for England was back in September 2024 in a Nations League clash against Ireland, the very same match where Mainoo had his last outing for the Three Lions.
The Big Losers: Tactical casualties and form slumps
While the 35-man list is expansive, the omissions are perhaps even more telling of Tuchel’s vision and Ollie Watkins is the most high-profile victim of the current selection cycle.
The Aston Villa forward has endured a difficult start to 2026, managing only three goals as he grapples with a visible crisis of confidence.
In a system that demands clinical efficiency, Watkins’ current struggles have seen him lose his place to the in-form Calvert-Lewin.
Even more shocking is the absence of Trent Alexander-Arnold. The Liverpool icon has found his transition to Real Madrid difficult, appearing tactically unsettled in LaLiga, which has prompted Tuchel to look elsewhere for his defensive structure.
Meanwhile, despite returning to full fitness and performing at a high level under Michael Carrick at Manchester United, Luke Shaw has been completely frozen out of this expanded group.
Once an indispensable pillar of the Gareth Southgate era, Shaw now finds his World Cup dreams in serious jeopardy.
His absence, combined with the exclusion of Alexander-Arnold, signals a definitive shift in how England intend to utilise their full-backs.
