Full Breakdown
England Prepares for World Cup with Expanded Squad for Friendlies
3/21/2026, 10:48:55 AM
Key Details of the Upcoming Friendlies
England's national football team, managed by Thomas Tuchel, has announced a 35-man squad for two upcoming friendlies against Uruguay on March 27 and Japan on March 31, both to be held at Wembley Stadium. This selection marks a crucial phase in England's preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Notable Inclusions and Omissions
Among the significant inclusions are Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo, both of whom have shown impressive form at Manchester United under manager Michael Carrick. This will be Maguire's first appearance for England since September 2024, while Mainoo returns after a notable absence. The squad also features a first call-up for Everton midfielder James Garner, alongside other players like Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lewis Hall, who have been recognized for their performances in the Premier League.
Conversely, prominent players such as Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ollie Watkins have been omitted from the squad. Tuchel described these decisions as "sporting," emphasizing the need to assess other players in preparation for the World Cup.
Tuchel's Strategy for Squad Management
Tuchel has opted for a larger squad to manage player minutes effectively during a demanding period in the club season. He plans to split the squad into two groups: one for the match against Uruguay and another for Japan. This approach aims to provide opportunities for players who have not featured prominently in recent matches, thereby enhancing competition for World Cup spots.
Tuchel stated, “We decided to divide it into basically two camps almost, so we bring players in that we haven’t seen who haven’t played so much to open up the picture, and the competition for plane tickets to the U.S.”
Squad Overview
Goalkeepers
- Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace)
- Jordan Pickford (Everton)
- James Trafford (Manchester City)
- Aaron Ramsdale (Newcastle United)
- Jason Steele (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Defenders
- Dan Burn (Newcastle United)
- Marc Guéhi (Crystal Palace)
- Lewis Hall (Newcastle United)
- Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa)
- Tino Livramento (Newcastle United)
- Harry Maguire (Manchester United)
- Nico O'Reilly (Manchester City)
- Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen)
- Djed Spence (Tottenham Hotspur)
- John Stones (Manchester City)
- Fikayo Tomori (AC Milan)
Midfielders
- Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest)
- Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
- James Garner (Everton)
- Jordan Henderson (Brentford)
- Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United)
- Declan Rice (Arsenal)
- Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)
- Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)
Forwards
- Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United)
- Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds United)
- Eberechi Eze (Arsenal)
- Phil Foden (Manchester City)
- Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United)
- Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
- Noni Madueke (Arsenal)
- Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
- Marcus Rashford (Barcelona, loan from Manchester United)
- Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
- Dominic Solanke (Tottenham Hotspur)
Implications for the World Cup
This squad selection is critical as it serves as the last opportunity for players to impress Tuchel before he finalizes his World Cup roster. The matches against Uruguay and Japan will provide valuable insights into player readiness and team dynamics ahead of the tournament, where England will face Croatia, Ghana, and Panama in Group L.
