Thomas Tuchel has omitted Trent Alexander-Arnold while recalling Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo in a 35-man expanded England squad for friendlies in March.
The selection, Tuchel’s penultimate squad before the 2026 World Cup, features a mix of returning players, fresh faces and key omissions as the England manager broadens his assessment pool.
Two uncapped players headline the inclusions, with James Garner earning his first senior call-up and Jason Steele selected as part of what Tuchel described as a potential specialist role for the tournament. Garner’s reward follows a strong campaign at Everton, while Steele, 35, is being evaluated as a training goalkeeper option for the World Cup.
Tuchel said the unusually large squad is designed to maximise competition and manage player workload. “We decided to divide it into basically two camps almost,” he explained. “We bring players in that we haven’t seen so far and haven’t played much to open up the picture, to open up the competition for plane tickets to the U.S.
“Then from Friday and Saturday, a group will come into camp – 10 or 11 players – who get a rest before, and we will go with a new mix of players into the match against Japan.”
Only part of the squad will face Uruguay, with a second group joining later for the Japan fixture as Tuchel rotates his options.
Among those given another opportunity are Dominic Calvert-Lewin, recalled for the first time in more than five years, and Dominic Solanke, who returns as Tuchel evaluates alternatives to captain Harry Kane. Fikayo Tomori also makes a comeback after a lengthy absence.
However, the squad notably excludes Alexander-Arnold and Ollie Watkins, with Tuchel acknowledging the difficulty of those decisions.
“I know it’s a tough decision for Trent as it is for Ollie Watkins and Luke Shaw,” he said. “These tough decisions come with the job. It’s a sporting decision… I know what Trent can give us, but I want to have a look at other players to get a clearer picture.”
Injuries have ruled out players such as Reece James and Trevoh Chalobah, while Jude Bellingham is included despite not playing since early February.
The recalls of Maguire and Mainoo follow an upturn in form at Manchester United, boosting their chances of forcing their way back into England’s long-term plans.
Tuchel also outlined Steele’s potential World Cup role, describing it as a “trial” within the current camp. “He will support the goalkeeper group, the goalkeeper coach and even a penalty-taking group,” he said. “That’s why we need an experienced guy.”
With Tuchel stressing that “nobody is on the plane to America,” the expanded squad offers one final opportunity for players to stake their claim before the World Cup selection is finalised.
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 Guehi (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)
