Thomas Tuchel has finalized his 23-man matchday squad for England’s World Cup qualifier against Albania at Wembley, adhering to UEFA’s roster limits. Three players from his initial 26-man selection were omitted, with Morgan Gibbs-White, Jarell Quansah, and Aaron Ramsdale missing out.
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson, Jordan Pickford, James Trafford
Defenders: Dan Burn, Levi Colwill, Marc Guehi, Reece James, Ezri Konsa, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Tino Livramento, Kyle Walker
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Eberechi Eze, Jordan Henderson, Curtis Jones, Declan Rice, Morgan Rogers
Forwards: Jarrod Bowen, Phil Foden, Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Dominic Solanke
Tuchel’s squad reflects a blend of experience and youth, with Harry Kane set to lead the attack and Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice anchoring midfield. The inclusion of Myles Lewis-Skelly at left-back highlights a potential debut, addressing England’s defensive depth concerns.
All three Newcastle United players—Dan Burn, Tino Livramento, and Anthony Gordon—retained their places, offering Tuchel flexibility for his first starting lineup. Burn, a debutant in the original squad, could feature alongside established defenders like Reece James and Levi Colwill.
The German manager aims to shift England’s mindset from “playing not to lose” to embracing “excitement and joy” after their Euro 2024 final defeat. His squad selection suggests a focus on positional flexibility, with options to deploy a back four or adapt formations mid-game.
England begin their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign against Albania, who narrowly lost to Spain at Euro 2024 and boast attacking threats like Rey Manaj and Armando Broja. Tuchel’s first lineup will be scrutinized for signs of tactical evolution and player trust.