Thomas Tuchel will announce on Monday June 1, 2026 the 26 players selected by England for the 2026 World Cup. It will be the German manager's first World Cup squad in charge of the Three Lions, a role he took on in January 2025 after Gareth Southgate's departure post-Euro 2024.

Preliminary list, final list. The English FA submitted to FIFA its preliminary squad (between 35 and 55 names) on May 11, as required by the regulation. Unlike most European federations, the FA chose not to publish the preliminary list, keeping the suspense until the June 1 final reveal. The approach mirrors Southgate's, who never made it public either.

The locks. Eleven names fit any Tuchel squad without question:

  • Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), captain, England's all-time top scorer with 73 goals. At 32, this will be his third consecutive World Cup after 2018 and 2022.
  • Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), the creative engine: 14 goals and 9 assists across LaLiga and Champions this season.
  • Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), undisputed starter on the right wing.
  • Phil Foden (Manchester City), offensive versatility.
  • Declan Rice (Arsenal), holding midfielder and leader of the engine room.
  • Cole Palmer (Chelsea), creator in the number 10 role.
  • Jordan Pickford (Everton), starting goalkeeper, still the manager's top pick.
  • Marc Guéhi (Crystal Palace) and John Stones (Manchester City) as the preferred centre-back pairing.
  • Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), midfielder set to provide balance in the middle.
  • Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), the season's revelation in the Premier League.

The hot doubts. Three names dominate this week's debate in England:

  1. Trent Alexander-Arnold. The right-back left Liverpool in the summer of 2025 for Real Madrid. His adaptation to Xabi Alonso's system has been uneven. Tuchel is weighing whether to take him or to go for Kyle Walker (Manchester City, 35) as the veteran or Reece James (Chelsea) if he overcomes his physical issues.
  2. Jarrod Bowen (West Ham) vs Anthony Gordon (Newcastle): only one enters as backup to the Saka-Kane-Foden front three. Bowen leads on sustained form (17 Premier League goals).
  3. Ollie Watkins (Arsenal): the backup nine to Kane. He competes with Ivan Toney (Al-Ahli) and Dominic Solanke (Tottenham).

Why England are contenders. The major British operators' odds (Bet365, Skybet, William Hill) place England among the four favourites for the title alongside Brazil, Spain and Argentina. The Bellingham-Saka-Foden-Mainoo generation is the deepest in attacking positions since 1966.

What Tuchel said. In his last press conference on May 20, the manager summed up his philosophy: "I want a team that attacks with intent and defends with order. I have 35 candidates. Ten are locks. The rest are competing." He did not comment on specific names.

Next milestones. After the June 1 final list, England will play two warm-up friendlies: one against a European Group TBD opponent (likely Portugal or Belgium) and another against a CONCACAF side. Camp at St George's Park (Burton-on-Trent) until June 8, flight to the United States on June 9, group stage debut on June 14.

Full tournament schedule at /en/2026/calendario and all confirmed squads at /en/2026/listas.