Thomas Tuchel has selected his squad for the World Cup as he aims to put a “second star” on the England jersey. He had a longlist of 55 players submitted to Fifa earlier this month and has now announced his final selection for the tournament. Here is your guide to the final 26:
Goalkeepers
Was among the players rested for half of the March international break, which was a huge clue as to his ranking as No 2 to Pickford. Has made more than 50 appearances this season for Crystal Palace and has experience in Europe.
Squad status Back-up
This summer will edge England’s No 1 closer to 100 international caps, having made his debut nine years ago. He will start attacks with his distribution and is coming off an excellent season at Everton. His goal conceded against Japan in March was the first in 10 games.
Squad status No 1
Manchester City rated him highly enough to bring him back to the club last summer, but Gianluigi Donnarumma became available and the plan was thrown out. Trusted to start the League Cup and FA Cup finals, and made his England debut in the Uruguay draw in March.
Squad status One for the future
Defenders
Tuchel called up the Newcastle centre-back immediately when he got the job and his height is a weapon for England at the World Cup. Has struggled at times in possession, but the England staff clearly have faith in him.
Squad status Settled
Will be one of the first names on the teamsheet for the World Cup. His move to Manchester City has worked, despite missing out on the Premier League title. He looks at home at a Champions League club and is reaching his peak.
Squad status Leader
Gave England a massive World Cup scare with a hamstring injury, but is back playing now. Should be first-choice right-back at the tournament and has shown he can “invert” into central midfield as well as posing a set-piece threat.
Squad status Senior player
Has established a good understanding with Guéhi as a centre-back partnership. Tuchel has played him consistently during World Cup qualifiers and he has added European experience over recent years.
Squad status Starter
Missed the last part of the season with a hamstring injury and also suffered a knee problem earlier in the campaign, which has been a concern for Tuchel. The Newcastle full-back is highly rated by the England manager and is comfortable playing on either flank.
Squad status Pushing for starting place
Comes off the back of an outstanding season with Manchester City, where he has raided forward from left-back and shown power while playing in central midfield. Breakthrough could be rewarded with starts at the tournament, with Tuchel highlighting how he has already won medals.
Squad status In contention to start
Out of sight but not out of mind following his move to Bayer Leverkusen last summer, when he looked to secure regular first-team football. Has done that in Germany while also playing in the Champions League.
Squad status Comes off the bench
His four caps have come under Tuchel, who describes him as “a special full-back” and the fastest player in the England squad. The first Muslim to play for England, he has been part of a struggling Tottenham team this season, during which his own behaviour was questioned after a clash with then-manager Thomas Frank. Can play on either flank.
Squad status Cover
Tuchel has made a special case for the England veteran, who has been to every tournament as a key player for the last 10 years. He will leave Manchester City this summer and injury problems have limited his game time this season, but having “analysed a lot of his training data”, Tuchel deemed him ready for this World Cup. There are no doubts over his quality when he is fit, with Tuchel saying: “He is a world-class player, an amazing character and a proven winner.”
Squad status Senior player
Midfielders
Only started playing as a deep-lying playmaker a year ago, but looks natural there in Tuchel’s system, where he can get on the ball and dictate the start of attacks. His combination with Rice will be important if England go far in the tournament.
Squad status Crucial
Has not played for England in 2026 because he was injured for the March internationals. In his last England appearance, he showed his frustration at being substituted, but there is no doubt over what he brings to teams. Has been called intimidating to team-mates, but he is to opponents, too.
Squad status Match-winner
Can play in a variety of positions and scored three goals during qualification. Comes off the back of winning the Premier League title with Arsenal.
Squad status Will get minutes on the pitch
England needed a player like Henderson at the Euros; a senior member of the squad who regulates the camp and provides experience. He has also had an excellent season with Brentford when it looked like his career was winding down.
Squad status One of the vice-captains
Out of favour under Ruben Amorim but back in the Manchester United team under Michael Carrick and recalled by Tuchel at the first opportunity. He was guilty of losing his runner against Japan in March, making his comeback after starting in the last Euros final.
Squad status Promising star
Has had the season of his life by winning the Premier League title with Arsenal and helping them reach the Champions League final. Will be driving England from central midfield at the end of a long campaign.
Squad status Invaluable
Breakthrough player under Tuchel, who has played him in all but one game when he gave the Aston Villa forward a rest. Has been pitted against Bellingham in the No 10 role, but Tuchel has not ruled out playing both in the same line-up. The manager also insists such competition will not affect relationships between players. “I have no doubt that Jude and Morgan will get along very well and that they both will be decisive for us,” he said.
Squad status First-teamer
Forwards
Tuchel has given him chances on the left wing and he is one of the players who can provide a threat to get through a low block. Expected to be the subject of bids this summer after his three seasons at Newcastle.
Squad status Pushing for a start
England’s greatest goalscorer has just enjoyed his best season, breaking the 60-goal barrier with Bayern Munich and his country while picking up the Bundesliga title. All fans – and Tuchel – are praying he stays fit.
Squad status Captain
He has not been in Arsenal’s starting line-up this month, but Tuchel has seen enough of him during the season to base a judgment and believes he can be “a difference maker”. Has looked good in an England shirt when given the chance and Tuchel said: “I believe in his ability to disrupt defensive organisation with his runs.”
Squad status Option off the bench
Has not been playing regularly for Barcelona but has enjoyed his move to the Catalan giants and his El Clásico free-kick showed what he can do when given the opportunity. Tuchel has welcomed him back after being frozen out at Manchester United.
Squad status Experienced
Title winner with Arsenal after enduring seasons of heavy challenges from defenders. He has always got back up and continued running at his opponents and will be a key attacker for England at the World Cup. Another whom Tuchel will be praying is not injured or tired.
Squad status Starter
“A world-class penalty taker”, according to Tuchel, which is always useful for an England team at a major tournament. Tuchel has not looked at him since last summer, when he came off the bench briefly against Senegal, but he has been scoring goals in Saudi Arabia and his manager at Al-Ahli, Matthias Jaissle, gave him a ringing endorsement. “I had fantastic feedback from his coach,” Tuchel, who coached Jaissle in the Stuttgart youth team, said. “He has very special skills when we are chasing a goal.”
Squad status Wild card
Has fought his way back into the squad with 11 goals in 15 games and playing a key role in Aston Villa’s triumph in the Europa League. Had been left out of the squad for the March internationals, but proved at the last Euros that he can be an impact player.
Squad status Super sub