Thomas Tuchel is set to unveil his inaugural England squad on Friday, March 14, marking the beginning of a new era for the Three Lions. His first match in charge will be against Albania on March 21 at Wembley, followed by another Wembley fixture against Latvia on March 24. These matches are part of England’s 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, where they are placed in Group K alongside Serbia and Andorra.
Tuchel has been meticulously preparing for this moment, compiling a long list of 55 potential players, which he will need to trim down significantly for his first squad. Among those likely to be included are four Crystal Palace players: goalkeeper Dean Henderson, midfielder Adam Wharton, defender Marc Guehi, and forward Eberechi Eze. Henderson revealed that Tuchel had contacted him and his teammates, indicating that they are under consideration.
Dean Henderson expressed his enthusiasm about potentially earning another cap for England, highlighting his improved form and the fact that Tuchel has been watching him closely. Henderson’s recent performances, including six saves against Ipswich, have been impressive, contributing to his ninth Premier League clean sheet this season.
Adam Wharton, despite recently returning from injury, has shown remarkable resilience and quality, which could secure his place in the squad. His performances have been so impressive that he is linked with big-money moves to top clubs like Manchester United, Arsenal, and Real Madrid.
Marc Guehi and Eberechi Eze are also in contention, with Tuchel’s interest in them evident from his communication. Notably, fellow Palace players Tyrick Mitchell and Ben Chilwell, who are both left-backs, are expected to be considered as well, given England’s limited options in that position.
Tuchel’s methodical approach to building relationships with players has been praised by FA Chief Executive Mark Bullingham. The German manager has been visiting matches and engaging with potential squad members to foster connections beyond the typical training camps.
As England embarks on this new chapter under Tuchel, fans are eager to see how he will shape the team and which new faces might emerge. With a challenging World Cup qualifying campaign ahead, Tuchel’s selections will be closely watched, especially given the competitive nature of Group K.